Final answer:
Knowing a partner's small preferences, like how they like their beverages, is part of John Gottman's 'Love Maps,' a concept that emphasizes the significance of intimate knowledge in a relationship.
Step-by-step explanation:
The observation that a partner likes ice in their water and prefers their coffee lukewarm relates to John Gottman's principles of building sound relationships. Gottman's research in the field of relationship psychology emphasizes the importance of knowing your partner's preferences and idiosyncrasies, which is an example of his concept called 'Love Maps.' A Love Map is a mental representation of your partner's personal information, including their likes and dislikes, which helps in formulating a deep and intimate knowledge of your partner. Knowing small, everyday details about your partner and their preferences, such as how they like their beverages, is a fundamental component of building a strong and detailed Love Map.