Fixing the Fighting in Relationships

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You can call them discussions, arguments or fights. A New Mexico State University professor offers a few tips on getting along while stating your point of view. Anna María Pérez-Wright explains.

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Arguments come in all styles–the good, the bad and the ugly. Marriage and Family Therapy Professor Robert Del Campo with New Mexico State University's College of Agriculture and Home Economics says when there's a disagreement, people typically try to argue their point.

"What happens is, you get so hooked into coming up with effective rationale for your point of view that you don't listen to your partner."

Del Campo says instead of arguing in favor of your position, it's better to listen and try to understand your partner's position.

"When both people truly believe that the other person hears and understands their point that they're trying to make, they do calm down and when you're calmed down you're in a better position, then, to find some kind of compromise."

Del Campo says it's important to show you understand the other person's point of view, but it doesn't necessarily have to mean you agree with it. For N-M-S-U's College of Agriculture and Home Economics, I'm Anna María Pérez-Wright.