Gottman Method – Marital Assessment And Therapy Strategies Practice Test

In Gottman therapy, daily interactions hinge on recognizing and responding to bids for connection. A bid is any attempt to share attention, support, or affection—like a question, a comment, or a touch. How a partner responds to that bid—turning toward, turning away, or turning against—shapes the relational climate. The most effective intervention is to train couples to notice these bids, respond by turning toward, and create routines for regular bidding through structured practices like bids tracking. This builds sustained, positive connections and makes everyday interactions more responsive. Ignoring bids removes opportunities for connection, replacing bids with silence cuts off potential closeness, and using bids to escalate arguments increases conflict. The tracking exercises specifically raise awareness of bid patterns and reactions, reinforcing the turning-toward responses that strengthen relationship health.