Hilda and Harley have been married for two years. Hilda has come home after a long day of work and found the breakfast dishes in the sink and the unfolded laundry in the laundry basket. Harley said he would wash the dishes and fold the clothes before he left for work that morning. When the upset Hilda begins to yell at Harley, he simply turns up the television volume. Hilda gets louder, but Harley walks out of the room and slams the door. Hilda and Harley have just engaged in _____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hilda and Harley have engaged in a demand/withdraw interaction, where Hilda is making a demand for Harley to follow through on his promise to wash the dishes and fold the laundry, while Harley is withdrawing from the conflict by turning up the television and later walking out of the room and slamming the door. This is a common pattern of communication in conflicts between intimate partners.

Hilda and Harley Have Been Married for Two Years