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Communication styles matter in marriages and government | In Focus

Professor Richard Elfers applies John Gottman's research on communication styles—Screamers, Avoiders, and Negotiators—to national Government behavior, suggesting that matching styles is essential for effective problem-solving in representative democracy.
Gottman found that successful couples share communication styles: Negotiators seek common ground through rational discussion, Screamers release tension through outbursts, and Avoiders deflect or leave conflict to maintain temporary calm.
Government has been created to solve problems, not avoid them, yet mismatched styles create gridlock when Avoiders resist compromise and Negotiators struggle against parties that refuse to engage.
Richard Elfers notes that not voting functions as an Avoiding strategy, risking the election of officials who prioritize avoidance or screaming over constructive Negotiators seeking compromise.
With the next national election coming in about three months, voters must decide which communication style best serves the country and whether Government functions to solve problems or perpetuates gridlock.

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