Ch. Interpersonal Conflict

Conflict may be magnified when individuals have ____ differences, such as individualism versus collectivism or high context versus low context.

cultural

Interpersonal Conflict

An expressed struggle between interdependent parties who perceive incompatible goals, scarce resources, and interference from one another. -Conflict is often communicated verbally, but it can also be conveyed with nonverbal behaviors that express anger, concern, or disappointment.

Power and Conflict:

Are inextricably linked.

By preventing conflict from erupting, the _____ conflict management strategy allows harmony, at the expense of the resolution of the resolution of the conflict.

Avoiding

The ability to control people and events is an essential component of _______.

Power. Definition of power: The ability to manipulate, influence, or control other people or events.

In Loving's study, the principle of _________ _________ holds that the person who is less committed in a relationship is dominant.

Principle of Least Intererst

When Tiger Woods endorses a product, he is applying _____ power.

Referent

What factor determines whether conflict is good or bad?

The strategy for handling it.

Often, interpersonal conflict is a struggle for ________

power.

Referent power can operate in both ____ or equal, and ____ or unequal, relationships.

Symmetrical, Complementary

Men and women have _______ approaches to conflict.

Systematically different

Someone who sees conflict as a game has ________ level of stress compared to someone who sees it as a war.

a lower.

What are good strategies for dealing with conflict online?

-Avoid misunderstandings. -Place yourself in the other person's position.

What are an employer's primary powers over an employee?

-Coercive -Reward

In American Culture, which behaviors are men socialized to adopt?

-Directly engaging in conflict. -Being aggressive in order to achieve victory.

Which aspects of power does conflict particularly affect?

-Exercise -Balance

What powers does a judge exercise?

-Legitimate -Coercive

Which forms of power can popular U.S. presidents exercise?

-Legitimate -Coercive -Referent -Reward

What are some issues that cause conflict or stress in gay and lesbian couples?

-Prejudice among family members and others Outing of sexual orientation

According to Loving's study, women who engaged in marital conflict experienced NO increase in stress level when they had ________ their partner.

-The same power as or -More power than

What are some characteristics of communication in low-context cultures?

-openness about issues -explicitness

John Gottman's 4 specific behaviors that are warning signs for separation or divorce.

1st warning sign: Criticism 2nd warning sign: Contempt 3rd warning sign: Defensiveness 4th warning sign: Stonewalling

There are ____ basic characteristics that all interpersonal conflicts share.

5

Research estimates that verbal or physical aggression is present in up to ____% of all romantic relationships.

50% or half

The ______ conflict management strategy is often expected in collectivistic cultures.

Accommodating

Conflict Between Interdependent Parties

All conflicts involve disagreements, a disagreement becomes a conflict only if the parties depend on each other in some way and are mutually exclusive—that is, if the actions of each party affect the well-being of the other. You may have noticed that conflict is particularly common in relationships with high degrees of interdependence, such as those you have with your parents, children, instructors, bosses, and close friends. If two parties are completely independent of each other, then even though they may disagree, their disagreement isn't considered to be an interpersonal conflict.

The major causes of relational conflict for gay and lesbian couples are ____ those for heterosexual couples.

Almost Identical to

Intrapersonal

Being of two minds about an issue is an example of intrapersonal conflict.

Although it requires a great deal of effort by both parties, _____ is often the most productive strategy.

Collaborating

Maximizing gains for each party characterizes which conflict management strategy?

Collaborating

The ____ conflict management strategy has the potential to be destructive.

Competing

Which management strategy results from high concern for one's own needs and low concern for those of the other party?

Competing

Compromising often produces better results than which other strategies?

Competing Avoiding Accomodating

An employer and employee, or a parent and child, have a _____ relationship, meaning one party has more power than the other.

Complementary

People in ______ relationships tend to use different types of messages with each other.

Complementary

Conflict is Natural

Conflict is a normal, natural part of relating to others. Almost every significant relationship—especially those with close friends, relatives, and romantic partners—is bound to experience conflict once in a while.

Conflict Metaphors

Conflict is a war. Conflict is an explosion. Conflict is a trial. Conflict is a struggle. Conflict is an act of nature. Conflict is an animal behavior. Conflict is a mess. Conflict is miscommunication. Conflict is a game. Conflict is a heroic adventure. Conflict is a balancing act. Conflict is a bargaining table. Conflict is a tide. Conflict is a dance. Conflict is a garden. Researchers have found that the way we interpret or "frame" a conflict can greatly affect the way we experience it and the communication choices we make to manage it.

Behavior

Conflict, is a behavior. Sometimes we express our disagreements verbally, but we can also express them through a nonverbal behavior such as a mean look or a harsh tone of voice.

Because it is only relevant in particular situations, power is specific to:

Context

According to Gottman, the first warning sign of problems in a relationship is _____ each other.

Criticizing

Individuals' _____ provides the values that determine their responses to conflict.

Culture

When partners see themselves as victims, they are exhibiting the warning sign of:

Defeensiveness

In the _______-______ pattern, one partner makes a request and the other refuses to respond.

Demand-Withdraw pattern

Communicating via computers creates a _______ effect, causing people to feel free to say things they would never say to someone's face.

Disinhibition Effect

India, which has a caste system, is an example of a culture that has _______ power distance.

High

When Jade openly flirts with other men because she is upset with her boyfriend, this is an illustration of _____ conflict.

Indirect

Disagreeing with others and standing up for oneself are acceptable behaviors for individuals living in _____ cultures.

Individualistic

People can improve their handling of _____ conflict by learning the norms and behaviors of people from different cultures.

Intercultural Conflict

For two parties to be in conflict, they must be:

Interfering with the other's goal.

Conflict most directly affects people's lives at the ___ level.

Interpersonal

Men's and women's ______ behavior reflects the unequal distribution of power between the sexes.

Interpersonal

Conflict is About Goals the Parties See as Incompatible

Labeling goals as "incompatible" doesn't simply mean that they are different. Rather, two goals are incompatible when it's impossible to satisfy both of them. You want to change lanes on the freeway, but the driver next to you won't let you in. You want to spend your tax refund on a new flat-screen television, but your spouse wants to spend it on a family vacation.

People living in cultures with _____ power distance are more likely to rebel against the powerful.

Low

When people argue their approaches to conflict, they are engaging in:

Metaconflict

Power is Inherently:

Neutral

Conflict is ______ in human relationships.

Normal.

A society that gives men control of most resources practices:

Patriarchy

Deciding to think of a conflict as a dance rather than a battle is an example of ______, or changing the way you think about an interpersonal situation.

Reframing

Marc's distrust of Amber after she steals his credit card illustrates the _____ dimension of conflict.

Relational.

Forms of Relational Power Identified by French and Raven

Reward-Power based on the ability to reward for compliance Coercive- Power based on the ability to punish for noncompliance Referent- Power based on liking, admiring, and being attracted to the powerful party. Legitimate-Power based on rightfully granted status or position Expert-Power based on special knowledge, training, experience, and/or expertise.

A major Source of conflict is perception that resources are:

Scarce

Victims of aggression in relationships ____ experience relational satisfaction.

Sometimes

Men often withdraw from conflict and adopt the practice of _____, or disengaging and leaving the conflict unresolved.

Stonewalling

Conflict Arises Over Perceived Scarce Resources

There's little sense in fighting over something one has in abundance. Rather, people tend to have conflict over resources they perceive to be limited. Money- When individuals feel they don't have enough money for everything they need and want, they can easily have conflict over how to spend the money they do have. Time- people frequently engage in conflicts over how they should spend their time. Perhaps your romantic partner wants you to split your vacation time between hiking and being with his or her family. If you perceive that you don't have adequate time for both activities, then you can experience conflict over how you will spend your time.

Conflict Includes Interference

Two parties might have opposing goals with respect to some issue, but they won't have genuine conflict until they act in ways that prevent each other from achieving their goals. You might disapprove of your roommate's smoking habit, for instance, but you won't have true conflict until you behave in ways that interfere with his habit. Complaining about his smoking, for instance, might diminish the enjoyment he derives from it. Hiding his cigarettes or throwing them out would make it more difficult for him to smoke. In either case, you are interfering with your roommate's ability to achieve his goal.

Conflict

When a struggle or disagreement is expressed, it qualifies as a conflict.

According to a study of 150 married couples, what is the main physical impact of being hostile to or overly controlling of one's spouse?

hardening of the arteries

In Larry Erbert's study of marital conflict, the most common source of conflict was;

personal criticism