Right Here , Right Now

Are you heading for a lifetime of a marital bliss or … the divorce courts?

EVEN COUPLES that have been happily married for decades will tell you there is no magic formula to predict whether a relationship will last . But now scientists claim to have a mathematical to calculate exactly that . The study , led by Professor James Murray from the University of Oxford , began in 1992 with 700 newlywed couples . Each were required to discuss contentious issues , such as money , sex , housing or the in-laws , for 15 minutes . Positive or negative points were awarded for each expression – such as affection , humor , eye-rolling or mockery – and predictions of a “ stable ” or “ unstable ” relationship were made . The couples were tracked regularly over the next 12 years to assess their marriage , with a remarkable 94 percents success rate “ I was astonished that an emotional human interaction could be quantified so easily , ” said Professor Murray .

FIVE TYPES OF MARRIED COUPLES

• VOLATILES - could go either way : romantic , passionate , heated arguments with cycles of fights and sex.

• VALIDATING – stable : calm , intimate , value companionship and shared experiences rather than individuality .

• AVOIDERS – stable : avoid confrontation and conflicts , interact only in positive range of their emotions .

• HOSTILE – unstable : conflict–avoiding wife , validating husband .

• HOSTILE DETACHED – unstable : volatile husband , validating wife .