Ineffective Arguing Inventory

Is your relationship dominated by inefficacious arguments? Take this test to find out if you have a faulty conflict resolution style.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | March 14, 2024

Effective communication is the cornerstone of a healthy relationship, enabling partners to understand each other's needs. Resorting to ineffective arguing can negatively impact relationships, and in extreme cases, can even lead to dissolution.

The Ineffective Arguing Inventory, developed by Lawrence A. Kurdek, is a tool designed to assess the dysfunctional style of resolving conflict between a couple. The inventory provides an insight into the behavior that may hinder constructive dialogue and conflict resolution.

You can take this test here. Please follow all of the steps to receive your results.

Step 1: Rate the following statements based on how much each describes your relationship on a scale of strongly disagree to strongly agree:

1. By the end of an argument, each of us feel we have been given an unfair hearing.

2. When we begin to fight or argue, I think, “Here we go again.”

3. Overall, I’d say we’re pretty bad at solving our problems.

4. Our arguments are left hanging and unresolved.

5. We go for days without settling our differences.

6. Our arguments seem to end in frustrating stalemates.

7. We need to improve the way we settle our differences.

8. Overall, our arguments are lengthy and forgotten gradually.

Step 2: Enter your age, gender, region, and first name so we can provide you with a detailed report that compares your test scores to people similar to you.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Check to make sure you've provided answers to all of the statements/questions above. Once you've done that, click the button below to send your responses to Awake Therapy's Lead Psychologist, Mark Travers, Ph.D. He will provide you with an overview of how you scored relative to others (all answers are anonymized and confidential to protect users' privacy). He can also answer any follow-up questions you may have.

References: Kurdek, L. A. (1994). Conflict Resolution Styles in Gay, Lesbian, Heterosexual Nonparent, and Heterosexual Parent Couples. Journal of Marriage and Family, 56(3), 705-722.