How do you view conflict? Win-lose metaphors –War –Explosive –Trial –Struggle –Animal behavior –Act of nature –Mess –Communication breakdown

Neutral metaphors –Game –Adventure –Balancing Act

Positive metaphors Bargaining table Tide Dance Garden Quilt making

Lens model of communication Shows that each person has a view (lens) of oneself, the other person, and the relationship. Each component refers back to an individual’s perceptions and attributions.

What are attributions? Attribution refers to how we attribute certain behavior: When looking at our own behavior we often identify external factors When looking at another’s behavior we often identify internal factors Example: Hannah was late for work. She attributes this to her alarm clock (external). Her boss sees her as unorganized (internal).

What is conflict? According to the text, Interpersonal Conflict, Wilmot and Hocker (2001) define conflict as: “an expressed struggle between at least two interdependent parties who perceive incompatible goals, scarce resources, and interference from others” (41).

How do you identify a destructive conflict? Criticizing Defensiveness Stonewalling Contempt

How do you identify a constructive conflict? This is what we will be identifying through the remainder of the course…don’t you just love cliffhangers? Please return next week for part 2.