Final answer:
According to John Gottman's research, the most destructive of the four horsemen of the apocalypse is contempt, which is the negative communication behavior that most severely impacts relationships. a. contempt
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question is related to the research on communication patterns and conflict resolution in relationships, conducted by psychologist John Gottman in 1995.
Gottman identified four negative communication behaviors, which he metaphorically referred to as the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," that are destructive to relationships. According to Gottman's research, the most destructive of these four behaviors is contempt. Contempt goes beyond simple frustration or negativity; it involves treating your partner with disrespect, mockery, and disdain, which can severely damage the relationship.