Why We Misunderstand Each Other in Relationships

Hosna
Jul 23, 2024
2 min read

Are You Really Seeing Your Partner Clearly?

Do small conflicts keep growing?
Do you assume the worst about your partner but excuse your own behavior?
Do you feel stuck in the same arguments?

These are signs of a common psychological pattern called the Fundamental Attribution Error.

What Is the Fundamental Attribution Error?

The Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE) is when we blame others' actions on who they are, but excuse our own by blaming the situation.

Examples:

They’re late because they’re careless.
I’m late because of traffic.

Over time, this creates resentment and emotional distance in relationships.

Why It Hurts Relationships

Attribution errors make it easy to judge and hard to empathize. This can lead to:

Blame cycles
Misunderstandings
Disconnection
Emotional withdrawal

Shift from Blame to Curiosity

In Therapy, We Ask:

What patterns are we repeating?
What’s really going on beneath the surface?
How can we understand each other better?

Gottman’s Tools That Help

Dr. John Gottman’s research offers tools to reduce misinterpretation:

Positive Sentiment Override

See your partner’s actions in a more generous light.

Turning Toward

Notice and respond to emotional bids.

Repair Attempts

Interrupt conflict with humor, touch, or honesty.

Avoid the Four Horsemen

Replace criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling with soft starts and empathy.

Try These Questions

“What don’t I understand about how you’re feeling?”
“Could I be misreading this?”
“Is there another reason for your reaction?”

Vulnerability Reconnects

Being honest and open builds trust:

“I felt overwhelmed, not distant.”
“I was scared to ask for comfort.”
“I assumed you didn’t care, but I was wrong.”

Learn Each Other’s Emotional System

In therapy, we help couples explore:

What triggers you
Your stress responses
How culture and childhood shape reactions
What love and respect mean to you

Let’s Rebuild the Connection

You don’t need to stay stuck in blame or misunderstanding. With guidance, you can:

Shift your perspective
Break negative patterns
Reconnect with empathy