John Gottman, a marriage and relationship expert at the University of Washington, can tell in four minutes whether a couple will get divorced. He looks for one simple factor: Do they show signs of contempt toward each other? According to his published study, contempt was the “kiss of death” for relationships and nearly always led to divorce. What is contempt, and what makes it so fatal to relationships? “Contempt, a virulent mix of anger and disgust, is far more toxic than simple frustration or negativity. It involves seeing your partner as beneath you, rather than as an equal.” Contempt is fueled
