The Four Horsemen The Apocalypse is a nickname for four specific types of destructive behaviors that predict relationship failure.

To be precise, Gottman’s research shows that when these four behavior becomes commonplace in a relationship, more than 90% of the time they lead to break up.

This article will show you, quickly and efficiently, what these behavior exactly are and what you can do to fix them.

What Are The 4 Horsemen of The Apocalypse

This is a quick overview of Gottman’s four horsemen of the apocalypse.

For each horseman of relationship apocalypse I give you a quick description, an example, and a quick fix.

If you need a deeper information, click on the links which drill down on each single behavioral issue so that you can see more examples and more fixes.

#1. Criticism

Criticism is a global attack on the partner’s personality.

Example:

“you only think about yourself, you’re so selfish”

Antidote

To fix criticism, the first horseman of the apocalypse uses “I” sentences and only raises specific situations instead of generalizing the partner’s defects.

Read more about criticism here.

#2. Defensiveness

Defensiveness is a typical response to criticism.

Partners resort to defensiveness when they feel they are unjustly or too strongly under attack.
Defensiveness is also more common in people with a fixed mindset and a fragile ego.

When a partner uses defensiveness it communicates that he is more interested in not taking blame than listening and fixing the issue. And the partner on the receiving end of defensiveness feels that their partner doesn’t care about them, their pain, and their gripe.

To make matters worse, defensiveness often does not come alone, but it includes a counterattack.
When that is the case, it often leads to an escalation and a full-blown argument.

Here’s an example from the movie “Blue Valentine”:

Antidote

The antidote to defensiveness is non-defensive listening, understanding your partner’s point of view, and accepting part of the blame.

Also, work on developing an antifragile ego and a growth mindset.

Read more about defensiveness here.

#3. Contempt

Contempt is criticism on steroids.

Contempt adds on top of criticism a judgmental and, often, a mean attitude towards our partner.

With contempt, we taunt, mock, or ridicule our partners in an effort to make them appear inferior and unworthy.

Here is an example from “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”:

https://youtu.be/RvNuTuiKyIo?t=69

Antidote

To eradicate contempt at the roots you really need to change your attitude towards your partner into one of appreciation.

Since contempt is often the result of a “willingness to hurt”, it’s people with anger and emotional management who sometimes resort to it. If you have anger issues, the good old technique of counting to ten before saying anything cruel will also help.

Read more about contempt here.

#4. Stonewalling

Stonewalling means to stop engaging with our partners.

We withdraw from the conversation -or argument- either emotionally or physically.
Stonewalling is unnerving for men and emotionally abusive for women.

Here’s an extreme example of stonewalling from the movie “Crazy, Stupid, Love”:

Antidote

The antidote to stonewalling is taking a break from the argument and resuming when you are calm enough to engage.

Read more about stonewalling here

SUMMARY

Over time the four horsemen of the apocalypse will wreck a marriage or relationship.

That’s why it’s important to avoid them or eradicate them early if you notice them in your relationship.

If you recognize any of this behavior in your relationship, that’s great! Now you have the chance to fix them.