The fourth chapter of Fight Right examines how couples initiate conflicts and arguments. Based on their research, the authors assert that the initial three minutes of any argument determine both its outcome and the relationship’s long-term trajectory with 96% accuracy.

The chapter opens with a case study involving a couple named Kristen and Steve during a hiking excursion in Sedona, Arizona. Their argument began when Steve refused to continue along a dangerous cliff-side trail. Kristen responded with harsh criticism and contempt, leading to a bitter argument that exemplified what the Gottmans identify as a “harsh start-up.”

Through their research at the Love Lab, the Gottmans discovered that arguments beginning with negative interactions rarely improve, regardless of attempts to repair the situation later. They analyzed couples’ conversations using cumulative-sum graphs, which revealed that the emotional trajectory established in the first three minutes typically persists throughout the entire interaction.

The authors identify three primary characteristics of harsh startups: criticism of character rather than behavior, describing the partner instead of expressing personal feelings, and “kitchen sink-ing” (adding multiple complaints to the current issue). These harsh start-ups often stem from stress, accumulated resentments, repeated attempts to connect that have been ignored, and learned behavior patterns.