In Gottman's seven bad habits list, which item is the third?

• A. More negativity than positivity
• B. The Four Horsemen
• C. Failure of repair attempts
• D. Negative perception of subtext

Answer: (C)

The main idea being tested is the ordering of Gottman’s seven bad habits, focusing on what typically comes third in that list. In Gottman’s framework, a repair attempt is any move—like an apology, a soothing remark, a humorous break, or a softening of language—that tries to de‑escalate tension after a conflict. When couples fail to repair after a tense moment, the relationship becomes more fragile and at greater risk for ongoing distress.

That’s why the third item is failure of repair attempts. It highlights the crucial step of bouncing back from friction: if partners consistently miss chances to repair, negativity tends to solidify and interaction spirals downward.

The other options fit in different parts of the framework. The Four Horsemen (criticism, contempt, defensiveness, stonewalling) represent a major destructive pattern often presented as a separate category or as the second item in the list, rather than the third. A climate of more negativity than positivity describes overall interaction tone, not the specific repair dynamic. Negative perceptions of subtext refer to misread intentions or negative attributions, which is a related but distinct issue from the failed repair process.