ADDITIONAL LIFO® MARRIAGE STYLE APPLICATIONS

FOSTERING SOUND MARITAL RELATIONS

make use of information generated to discuss issues and concerns objectively
What each would like to get from the relationship
What each would like from the other
What sorts of things cause distress to each
What each can do to increase the other's satisfaction
When the relationship is basically sound, can do the above quite readily by describing it and doing a "mirror exchange" periodically.

Particularly if there is some pathology in the relationship, it helps to be more structured:
Use the LIFO Applications Workbook
For the questions under "Self", prepare a set of C/T, S/G, C/H, A/D answers that the person will be asked to pick from
Have the person identify those items which will be difficult for the other person to do, given his/her style
May need to ask people to answer the questions:
- "What is the degree of commitment to holding this relationship together?
- "How much effort are you willing to put out toward that in the next six months?
- "What do you think is the degree of your partner's commitment...?

Have people generate data (use Marriage Style Questionnaire)
Provide an explanation base that is very positive, intrigues
Provide a structure through which people can:
- say things they usually find difficult to say
- say them in a more objective manner that legitimizes each one's concerns and views
- brings about commitment to action steps which are recorded