>[!abstract] >John Gottman's "Four Horsemen" are four toxic communication patterns that strongly predict relationship breakdown and divorce. >- **Criticism** attacks a partner’s character rather than addressing specific behaviors, eroding goodwill. >- **Defensiveness** involves denying responsibility or counterattacking, which escalates conflict instead of resolving it. >- **Contempt** expresses disrespect or superiority through sarcasm, eye-rolling, or ridicule, and is considered the single strongest predictor of divorce. >- **Stonewalling** occurs when one partner withdraws or shuts down emotionally, cutting off dialogue. >Together, these behaviors create a destructive cycle that undermines trust, intimacy, and conflict resolution in relationships. >[!related] >- **North** (upstream): [[Relationship science]] >- **West** (similar): — >- **East** (different): — >- **South** (downstream): —