Contempt is a feeling of scorn, disrespect, or disdain for another person. Contempt comes from a place of superiority as if you are better than the other person. The face of contempt is characterized by a sneer and a slight raising of one lip corner. Just Google Ted Bundy, and bingo! The face of contempt.
In his book "Why Marriages Succeed or Fail," Dr. Gottman states:
"When contempt begins to overwhelm your relationship, you tend to forget entirely your partner’s positive qualities, at least while you’re feeling upset. You can’t remember a single positive quality or act. This immediate decay of admiration is an important reason why contempt ought to be banned from marital interactions."
The antidote? Building fondness and admiration. Dr. Gottman found that having couples talk and think about their past together helped do this. Asking how they met, their first impressions of each other, how they fell in love, etc.