Abstract
Neuroscience demonstrates that humans are relational creatures with social brains. Yet, societal expectations of ultra-individualism catch many couples in cycles of conflict, negativity, and reactivity. Helping couples understand the link between their gendered power interactions, emotions, and sociocultural context is vital so that they can become less reactive toward each other and more proactive in sharing relational processes of attunement and vulnerability that promote relationship satisfaction and personal well-being. Drawing upon the latest research from neuroscience, we examine emotions and their link to gender and power in couple interactions. A case example illustrates the complex interplay of neurobiological and societal influences on partner emotions and empathy and how attending to these processes can lead to change that supports enhanced relational connection.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Baron-Cohen, S. (2013). The essential difference: Male and female brains and the truth about autism. New York, NY: Basic Books.
Beckes, L., & Coan, J. A. (2011). Social baseline theory: The role of social proximity in emotion and economy of action. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 5, 976–988.
Boszormenyi-Nagy, I., & Ulrich, D. (1981). Contextual family therapy. In A. S. Gurman & D. P. Kniskern (Eds.), Handbook of family therapy (pp. 159–186). New York, NY: Brunner/Mazel.
Chaisson, E. (1989). The life era. New York, NY: Norton.
Decety, J., & Jackson, P. L. (2004). The functional neuroarchitecture of human empathy. Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Reviews, 3, 71–100.
Eliot, L. (2009). Pink brain, blue brain: How small differences grow into troublesome gaps—and what we can do about it. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Fishbane, M. D. (2007). Wired to connect: Neuroscience, relationships, and therapy. Family Process, 6(3), 395–412.
Fishbane, M. D. (2008). “News from neuroscience”: Applications to couple therapy. In M. E. Edwards (Ed.), Neuroscience and family therapy: Integrations and applications. Washington, DC: American Family Therapy Academy.
Fishbane, M. D. (2011). Facilitating relational empowerment in couple therapy. Family Process, 50, 337–352.
Fishbane, M. D. (2013). Loving with the brain in mind: Neurobiology and couple therapy. New York, NY: Norton.
Fowers, B. (2001). The limits of a technical concept of a good marriage: Exploring the role of virtue in communication skills. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 27, 327–340.
Fredrickson, B. (2013). Love 2.0: Creating happiness and health in moments of connection. New York, NY: Plume.
Gottman, J. M. (2011). The science of trust: Emotional attunement for couples. New York, NY: Norton.
Hines, M. (2011). Gender development and the human brain. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 34, 69–88.
Ickes, W., Gesn, P. R., & Graham, T. (2000). Gender differences in empathic accuracy: Differential ability or differential motivation? Personal Relationships, 7, 95–109.
Jordan, J. V. (2010). Relational-cultural therapy. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Jordan, J. V., Kaplan, A. G., Miller, J. B., Stiver, I. P., & Surrey, J. L. (1991). Women’s growth in connection: Writings from the Stone Center. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Jordan-Young, R. M. (2010). Brain storm: The flaws in the science of sex differences. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Keltner, D. (2009). Born to be good: The science of a meaningful life. New York, NY: Norton.
Klein, K. J. K., & Hodges, S. D. (2001). Gender differences, motivation, and empathic accuracy: When it pays to understand. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27, 720–730.
Knudson-Martin, C. (2012). Changing gender norms in families and society: Toward equality and complexities. In F. Walsh (Ed.), Normal family processes (4th ed., pp. 324–346). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Knudson-Martin, C., & Huenergardt, D. (2010). A socio-emotional approach to couple therapy: Linking social context and couple interaction. Family Process, 49, 369–386.
Lips, H. M. (1991). Women, men, and power. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing.
Maccoby, E. E. (1999). The two sexes: Growing up apart, coming together. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Panksepp, J., & Biven, L. (2012). The archeology of mind: Neuroevolutionary origins of human emotions. New York, NY: Norton.
Scheinkman, M., & Fishbane, M. D. (2004). The vulnerability cycle: Working with impasses in couple therapy. Family Process, 43, 279–299.
Siegel, D. J. (2007). The mindful brain: Reflection and attunement in the cultivation of well-being. New York, NY: Norton.
Taylor, S. (2003). The tending instinct: Women, men, and the biology of relationships. New York, NY: Holt.
Thomas, G., & Maio, G. R. (2008). Man, I feel like a woman: When and how gender-role motivation helps mind-reading. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95, 1165–1179.
Uvnas-Moberg, K. (2003). The oxytocin factor: Tapping the hormone of calm, love, and healing. Cambridge, MA: Perseus.
Wilkie, J. R., Ferree, M. M., & Ratcliff, K. S. (1998). Gender and fairness: Marital satisfaction in two-earner couples. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 60, 577–594.
Zak, P. J. (2012). The moral molecule: The source of love and prosperity. New York, NY: Dutton/Penguin.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 American Family Therapy Academy
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Fishbane, M.D., Wells, M.A. (2015). Toward Relational Empowerment: Interpersonal Neurobiology, Couples, and the Societal Context. In: Knudson-Martin, C., Wells, M., Samman, S. (eds) Socio-Emotional Relationship Therapy. AFTA SpringerBriefs in Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13398-0_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13398-0_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-13397-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-13398-0
eBook Packages: Behavioral ScienceBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)