demand–withdraw pattern

a pattern of interaction in which a person criticizes or requests changes in the behavior of a relationship partner, who responds by avoiding the demand, becoming defensive, or withdrawing from the conversation. This pattern of communication is considered dysfunctional and predicts marital deterioration and divorce. The pattern occurs more often with female demands and male withdrawal than vice versa. [first identified in the 1980s by U.S psychologist Andrew Christensen and colleagues]

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Psychology term of the day

May 8th 2024

perceptual development

the acquisition of skills that enable a person to organize sensory stimuli into meaningful entities during the course of physical and psychological development.