John Gottman, (* 1942) Ph.D. is known for his work on marital stability and relationship analysis through scientific direct observations published in peer-reviewed literature. The lessons learned from this work represent a partial basis for the relationship counseling movement which aim to improve relationship functioning and the avoidance of those behaviors shown by Gottman and other researchers to deteriorate human relationships. Dr. Gottman is a Professor Emeritus of psychology at the University of Washington, and with his wife Dr. Julie Gottman now heads a non-profit research institute.