John Gottman, Christian Anthropology, and Attachment Theory: An Integrative Discussion of Marriage

Abstract

The marital psychology of John M. Gottman is brought into dialogue with The Theological and Philosophical Premises Concerning the Person in the IPS Model of Integration (2014). Attachment theory is employed as a bridge concept for deepening and enriching the conversation. Gottman’s Sound Relationship House Theory is presented, as well as the IPS Model of Integration and concepts of attachment theory deemed relevant to this study. A discussion follows, focusing mainly on areas of convergence but including divergence as well. This work of integration is meant to offer psychology a nuanced view of the person and marriage in the hope that it might prove helpful in the psychotherapeutic treatment of couples.