ABSTRACT
In 1985, Trapp and Hoff (1985) embarked on a study that explored argumentation in relationships. Their interviews with 12 relational pairs, including family members, friends, and romantic partners, revealed an unexpected pattern: many reported that their arguments consisted of serial episodes that reoccurred on a regular basis throughout the course of their relationships, which Trapp and Hoff labeled as serial arguments. These serial arguments, inherently defined by their ongoing nature, did not reflect the dominant view at that time of interpersonal conflict occurring in only a single, autonomous episode.
