A QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS APPROACH TO A+ IN COM
312 MID TERM EXAM.
What is interpersonal conflict?
-A systematic situations w/ the following 4 unique characteristics
1. the conflicting parties are interdependent
2. they have the perception that they seek incompatible goals or outcomes or they
favor incompatible means to the same end
3. the perceived incompatibility has the potential to adversely affect relationship if not
addressed
4. there is a sense of urgency about the need to resolve the difference.
Interdependence
Occurs when those involved in a relationship characterize it as continuous and
important, making it worth the effort to maintain.
Incompatible Goals
Occurs when we are seeking different outcomes. (e.g. we each want to buy a car, but
we can only afford one. or we have different standards of cleanliness for our house.)
Incompatible Resources
When there is conflict because of resources; i.e. money, time, etc. (e.g. an argument
that comes out b/c of how much time you spend with people.)
Incompatible Means
Occurs when we want to achieve the same goal but differ in how we should do so; (e.g.
we agree on the same car, but not on whether to finance it or pay cash.)
Sense of Urgency
Reaching a point where it needs effective management sooner rather than later.
-not waiting and letting issues fester, and communicating about them in a timely fashion.
What is meant by 'conflict can adversely affect relationships'?
Conflicts can make people feel uncomfortable when together, dissatisfied with their
partners, and lead them to desire change.
(e.g. if people dominate their partners and always win their arguments, the partners may
want to exit the relationship)
, When is conflict management effective?
Effective conflict management occurs when our communication behavior produces
mutual understanding and an outcome that is agreeable to everyone concerned.
Conflict management
the communication behavior a person employs based on his or her analysis of a conflict
situation.
Linear Model of Conflict
-includes sender, receivers, channels, noise, feedback.
-Mainly focuses on the end result of communication (convincing, persuading,
controlling, or dominating the other.)
Transaction Model of Conflict
-Focused on managing and coordinating.
-the thought of two people working together, sharing messages, reading nonverbals, all
at the same time in order to both solve the conflict together.
What is the conflict cycle and what occurs in each part of the cycle?
-Prelude to conflict: variables that make conflict possible between those involved.
(participants in the conflict, their relationship, other interested parties, and physical and
social environments)
-Triggering: conflict stimulus is a behavior that the parties in conflict point to as the
issue, problem or focal point of the conflict.
-Initiation phase: response occurs when the problem becomes overt and known
-Differentiation phase: ongoing interaction patterns occurs when the participants use
constructive or destructive strategies.
-Resolution phase: outcome occurs when those involved accept some outcome to the
conflict.
Process View of Communication
-Process: something that is evolving and not static.
-conflict situations are always changing and occurring within the broader context of prior
interaction.
The implication of this is that something like conflict when viewed as a process can be
viewed in different stages.
312 MID TERM EXAM.
What is interpersonal conflict?
-A systematic situations w/ the following 4 unique characteristics
1. the conflicting parties are interdependent
2. they have the perception that they seek incompatible goals or outcomes or they
favor incompatible means to the same end
3. the perceived incompatibility has the potential to adversely affect relationship if not
addressed
4. there is a sense of urgency about the need to resolve the difference.
Interdependence
Occurs when those involved in a relationship characterize it as continuous and
important, making it worth the effort to maintain.
Incompatible Goals
Occurs when we are seeking different outcomes. (e.g. we each want to buy a car, but
we can only afford one. or we have different standards of cleanliness for our house.)
Incompatible Resources
When there is conflict because of resources; i.e. money, time, etc. (e.g. an argument
that comes out b/c of how much time you spend with people.)
Incompatible Means
Occurs when we want to achieve the same goal but differ in how we should do so; (e.g.
we agree on the same car, but not on whether to finance it or pay cash.)
Sense of Urgency
Reaching a point where it needs effective management sooner rather than later.
-not waiting and letting issues fester, and communicating about them in a timely fashion.
What is meant by 'conflict can adversely affect relationships'?
Conflicts can make people feel uncomfortable when together, dissatisfied with their
partners, and lead them to desire change.
(e.g. if people dominate their partners and always win their arguments, the partners may
want to exit the relationship)
, When is conflict management effective?
Effective conflict management occurs when our communication behavior produces
mutual understanding and an outcome that is agreeable to everyone concerned.
Conflict management
the communication behavior a person employs based on his or her analysis of a conflict
situation.
Linear Model of Conflict
-includes sender, receivers, channels, noise, feedback.
-Mainly focuses on the end result of communication (convincing, persuading,
controlling, or dominating the other.)
Transaction Model of Conflict
-Focused on managing and coordinating.
-the thought of two people working together, sharing messages, reading nonverbals, all
at the same time in order to both solve the conflict together.
What is the conflict cycle and what occurs in each part of the cycle?
-Prelude to conflict: variables that make conflict possible between those involved.
(participants in the conflict, their relationship, other interested parties, and physical and
social environments)
-Triggering: conflict stimulus is a behavior that the parties in conflict point to as the
issue, problem or focal point of the conflict.
-Initiation phase: response occurs when the problem becomes overt and known
-Differentiation phase: ongoing interaction patterns occurs when the participants use
constructive or destructive strategies.
-Resolution phase: outcome occurs when those involved accept some outcome to the
conflict.
Process View of Communication
-Process: something that is evolving and not static.
-conflict situations are always changing and occurring within the broader context of prior
interaction.
The implication of this is that something like conflict when viewed as a process can be
viewed in different stages.
