We've all been there: embroiled in an argument with our partner, caught up in emotion, and perhaps most crucially, unsure of how something seemingly small escalated. The touchy topic of who's "right" and who's "wrong" in a conflict between a couple often misses the point and prevents partners from moving beyond the spat in a constructive way that provides tools helpful in avoiding future quarrels.

For instance, Alyssa, 40, and Rick, 42, are caught up in an ongoing cycle of bickering about small matters that often escalates quickly into a full-blown argument. Recently, Alyssa noticed Rick's credit card statement on his desk and saw a $125.00 charge at his favorite Trek Bike shop. Without stopping to gather information, she accused him of being extravagant and he counter attacked with blaming her for their financial problems because she reduced her hours at work to spend time with their two children. After calming down later that evening, she discovered that the bike shop charge was for their kids.

Stop Trying to Prove a Point and Make Repair Attempts

What Alyssa and Rick need is a way to stop blaming each other and to eliminate their pattern of trying to prove a point. The first step toward changing this dysfunctional pattern of relating is awareness. They can benefit by developing a team approach to conflict resolution - realizing that working together is more important than being right. When each partner asserts his or her position and differences are addressed, a resolution is possible, and a partnership is formed. What matters is preserving love and attachment and getting back on track after a dispute.

In The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, Dr. Gottman describes repair attempts as the secret weapon that emotionally intelligent couples' employ that allows their marriage to flourish rather than flounder. A repair attempt is any statement or action - verbal, physical, or otherwise - intended to diffuse negativity and keep a conflict from escalating.

In over 40 years of research in his classic "Love Lab" studies, Dr. John Gottman discovered that the number one solution to marital problems is to get good at repair skills. He explains that repair attempts allow a couple to get back on track after a fight and are an important way to avoid resentment.

In the beginning of their relationship, Alyssa and Rick were so elated to have discovered each other that they focused more on their similarities than differences. After a while, emotional baggage from past relationships was causing them to overreact to triggers (such as spending money) and they started becoming more critical and defensive with each other. They lost sight of the loving feelings that brought them together in the first place.

Alyssa put it like this: "We tend to get irrational and dig our heels in when we fight - making things worse. Rick would say, "You're always right Alyssa, you know you're always right." Alyssa paused and continued, "This would infuriate me even more. So now I say "I don't want to always be right, I want you to understand where I'm coming from. And if that means we can't talk about this right now, I'm going to go in the other room and read until we cool off. When I come back, we can talk."

Rick explains: "Usually one of us will say "I love you and I want to get though whatever we don't understand. Can we be friends? That's what gets us through our fights, we are best friends."

Every relationship has its inevitable difficulties, and conflict goes with the territory. Sometimes couples avoid conflict because it signified the end of a former relationship, or led to bitter disputes that never got resolved. Avoiding conflict backfires in intimate relationships. Bottling up negative thoughts and feelings doesn't give your partner a chance to change their behavior. However, one of the secrets of a good marriage is learning to choose battles wisely and to distinguish between petty issues and truly important ones.

For example, Rick learned that arguing over dishes left in the sink was hardly worth the battle. Rather than keeping score, he and Alyssa sat down with their kids Thomas and Caitlin and discussed a schedule for chores and family responsibilities. Everyone contributed to the discussion and Caitlin developed a chart since she enjoys graphic art. Rick and Alyssa were surprised that their children bought into the plan as long as they could take Friday off and have pizza delivery with their friends - without their parents hovering or demanding clean up right away!

Patterns that Can Erode the Quality of Your Relationship

Happily married couples battle against negative patterns of relating rather than battle against each other, according to Howard Markman Ph.D. In fact, he advises couples to be watchful of the four patterns that can erode the quality of a relationship: escalation, invalidation, negative interpretations, and withdrawal and avoidance.

As with so many issues that arise in a relationship, it's clear that communication is the key to understanding, anticipating, and diffusing conflict. While it's certainly easier said than done, the "hack" so many couples seek is at their fingertips. If spouses commit consistently to maintaining an open, honest, and judgment-free dialogue, a great many of the pitfalls that divide partners can be nipped in the bud. Indeed, all roads in a healthy marriage lead back to honest and open communication. This kind of back and forth forms the bedrock of long-lasting love.