What is most closely the central idea of the passage below (paragraphs 12–13)? People who turned toward their partners in the study responded by engaging the bidder, showing interest and support in the bid. Those who didn’t—those who turned away—would not respond or respond minimally and continue doing whatever they were doing, like watching TV or reading the paper. Sometimes they would respond with overt hostility, saying something like, “Stop interrupting me, I’m reading.”

These bidding interactions had profound effects on marital well-being. Couples who had divorced after a six-year follow up had “turn-toward bids” 33 percent of the time. Only three in ten of their bids for emotional connection were met with intimacy. The couples who were still together after six years had “turn-toward bids” 87 percent of the time. Nine times out of ten, they were meeting their partner’s emotional needs.
An active participant in a relationship is ready to interact.
Couples have difficulty giving each other the comfort and attention each partner feels they deserve.
The readiness to respond to the other partner and engage with them is key to the survival of a relationship.
Sometimes a partner in a relationship simply does not want to deal with the other person.