1 . Because conflict and disagreements are part of all close relationships, couples need to learn strategies for managing conflict in a healthy and constructive way. Some couples just ____ and deny the presence of any conflict in a relationship. ____ , denying the existence of conflict results in couples ____ to solve their problems at early ____, which can then lead to even greater problems later on. Not surprisingly, expressing anger and disagreement leads to lower marital (婚姻的) satisfaction at the beginning. However, this pattern of behavior ____ increases in marital satisfaction over time. Research suggests that working through conflicts is an important predictor of marital satisfaction.

So, what can you do to manage conflict in your own relationships? First, try to understand the other person's point of view and put yourself in his or her place. People who are ____ to what their partner thinks and feels ____ greater relationship satisfaction. For example. researchers found that among people in dating relationships ____ marriages, those who can adopt their partner's perspective show more positive ____, more relationship-enhancing attributes and more constructive responses to conflict.

Second, because conflict and disagreements are an ____ part of close relationships, people need to be able to apologize to their partner for wrongdoing and ____ forgiveness from their parents for their own acts. Apologies minimize conflict, lead to forgiveness. and serve to restore relationship closeness. In line with this ____ , spouses (配偶) who are more forgiving show higher mental quality over time. Increasingly, apologizing can even have ____ health benefits. For example, when people reflect on hurtful ____ and grudges (怨恨), they show negative physiological effects, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, compared to when they ____ on sympathetic perspective-taking and forgiving.