Gottman research and interviews of people's childhood history have led to finding a connection between pride and praise and which of the Four Horsemen?

The association between pride and praise, as revealed in Gottman's research, is connected to contempt. Contempt arises when one partner feels superior to the other, often related to the way that person was praised or criticized during their formative years. Children who are regularly praised without being taught humility or the importance of valuing others may develop a sense of superiority, leading to contemptuous behaviors in adult relationships. According to Gottman, contempt is defined as a feeling of superiority, which can lead to a breakdown of relational communication and partnership.

In contrast, the other concepts — stonewalling, criticism, and defensiveness — describe different dynamics in relationship conflicts, but they do not directly reflect the development of contempt from a history of pride and praise. Stonewalling involves withdrawing from conversation, criticism focuses on attacking a partner's character, and defensiveness is a response to perceived attacks. Contempt, however, specifically links to an ingrained attitude of disdain that can stem from past experiences with praise and pride. Thus, understanding this connection is crucial for identifying and addressing negative patterns in relationships.