Conflicts and arguments are an integral and often productive part of close relationships. They indicate differences that need to be resolved and can lead to greater intimacy – if we perceive them as a shared problem, not a confrontation.

In this section, we look at conflicts from a psychological perspective. You will learn how escalation mechanisms work, why we fall into abusive silence or turn to shouting, and how to avoid it. The main focus is on skills: active listening techniques, the formation of “I-messages” and strategies for finding a compromise that takes into account the needs of both parties.