What does "emotional attunement" refer to in the Gottman Method?

Emotional attunement in the Gottman Method is centered around understanding and responding to a partner’s emotions. This concept highlights the importance of being in sync with your partner's emotional state, which fosters connection and builds trust within the relationship. When partners are emotionally attuned, they are capable of recognizing emotional signals, validating each other's feelings, and providing support, which strengthens the bond between them.

This understanding goes beyond mere recognition of feelings; it involves actively engaging with and reacting to those emotions in a way that is supportive and compassionate. Practicing emotional attunement contributes to healthier interactions, reducing misunderstandings and fostering empathy, thus playing a crucial role in overall relationship satisfaction. In contrast, the other options either misinterpret or oversimplify the concept of emotional attunement, indicating a lack of awareness or engagement with each other's emotional experiences.