A 2016 study out of the University of Illinois, which analyzed 376 couples, found that there are four distinct types of couples. The categories are based on commitment styles. And what’s more, the type of couple category you and your significant other fall into determines how likely your relationship is to last.
Let’s take a closer look at the four types of couples and what it might say about how long your relationship will survive.
1. The Dramatic Couple
As one might guess, this is the roller coaster couple. This is the couple that’s always fighting and always experiencing highs and lows in their relationship.
The problem with this couple is that they have a tendency to make decisions based on negative events in the relationship. In the long run, this can affect their levels of commitment.
The researchers found that dramatic couples are twice as likely to break up than other couples.
2. The Conflict-ridden Couple
Conflict-ridden couples are similar to dramatic couples, but there’s one key difference. Like dramatic couples, the conflict-ridden couple fights a lot… but they’re brought back together by passion. Songs are written about this type of couple, often describing them as hot and cold. They may fight a lot, but when it’s good… it’s really good.
Although their commitment level may dwindle when they fight, this couple is less likely to break up than dramatic couples. But since it’s difficult to sustain a long-term relationship where there’s constant bouts of on-again, off-again passion, conflict-ridden couples are likely to evolve into one of the other types of couples over time.
3. The Socially Involved Couple
Socially involved couples tend to lean on their friends when it comes to making decisions in their relationships. They also place a lot of value on having mutual friends with their partner, as it makes them feel more connected in their relationship.
People in these partnerships tend to experience high levels of satisfaction and relationship stability.
4. The Partner-focused Couple
Partner-focused couples tend to be very involved and dependent on each other. They turn the events that happen in their relationship into deeper levels of commitment. These individuals tend to be very thoughtful and careful about the decisions they make for their relationships.
This couple type is the gold standard. The researchers found that partner-focused couples were the least likely to break up — and the most likely to be happy over time.
Your Couple Type Can Change
If you are a dramatic couple, it’s not all doom and gloom for the future of your relationship. The researchers fund that any of these couple styles can change into a different couple style over time. You can work on becoming a partner-focused couple. But remember the opposite is true, too, so you’ll want to avoid evolving into a dramatic couple as time goes on.
The Bottom Line
You may be wondering why these four couple types matter when it comes to relationships. The important thing to keep in mind is that the way we handle decision-making and conflicts in our relationships can determine the outcome of your relationship.
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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From The Good Men Project on Medium
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Photo credit: Jonathan Borba on Unsplash