gottman concepts understanding
Gottman Relationship
This involves developing tools which could be used to explain some of John Gottman’s most important concepts. You will develop 2 different stories which illustrate:
1) Gottman’s concept of “bids for connection”
2) Gottman’s concept of “The Four Horsemen” and their Antidotes
Bids for Connection Story
Suggested process for beginning the assignment:
- First, choose a scenario in which one character makes a bid for connection. You may want to write this scenario down (what was said or done, where, and by whom).
- Next, develop 3 different responses to this bid for connection (what was said or done, where, and by whom), with each illustrating a different kind of response (turning towards, turning away, and turning against).
- Third, determine the reaction (what was said or done) of the “bidder” after each of these 3 different kinds of responses. You have now created 3 alternative endings for the story which began with the original bid for connection.
- Finally, choose how you would like to present your story. You may choose to create a hand-drawn storyboard/book (or one using photos), to create a comic using online tools ToonDoo, Bitstrips or Pixton which illustrates/teaches these core concepts.
- Now you are ready to begin. Create your comic strip, being careful to ensure that it accurately illustrates the concepts you have learned in class/read in the Gottman book.
For extra help with the assignment, a sample is attached to this assignment.
Excellent example Gottman Bids for Connection comics.pdf
Four Horsemen Story
Suggested process for beginning the assignment:
- First, choose a scenario in which two people in a relationship experience a conflict. You may want to write this scenario down as text (who is involved, where, and what is the nature of the conflict?)
- Develop a response to this conflict (what was said or done, where, and by whom). Your response should accurately illustrate one of the Four Horsemen. Next, determine the reaction (what was said or done) of the other person involved in the conflict. You may want to write these down as text. Include 3 to 5 additional comments made in this conversation.
- Next, begin again with the same scenario. Develop a response to this conflict (what was said or done, where, and by whom) which illustrates the “antidote” to the Horseman you chose.
- Finally, choose how you would like to present your two alternative story endings. You may choose to create a hand-drawn storyboard/book (or one using photos), to create a comic using ToonDoo, Bitstrips or Pixton.
- Now you are ready to begin. Create your comic strip, being careful to ensure that it accurately illustrates the concepts you have learned in class/read in the Gottman book.
For extra help with the assignment, a sample is attached to this assignment.
First, Defensiveness- Four Horsemen Comic Example:
Gottman defensiveness comic.pdf
Second, the Antidote to Defensiveness Comic Example:
This will be evaluated based upon the following elements:
- Demonstration of accurate understanding of the topics/concepts
- Effective illustration of the topics/concepts
- Completeness
- Creativity and original work
