2. Types of Conflict Blow-up-sudden eruption Civil-calm & rational
Déjà vu-predictable/repeated pattern
Indirect-not explicitly discussed
Mock
Sarcastic sniping-hostile sarcasm
Silent treatment-two or more encounters

3. Power’s Close Ties with Conflict: Defining Characteristics
Always present-symmetrical & complementary
Can be used ethically & unethically
Is granted
Influences most conflicts

4. Power Currencies: Possess or Control Some Resource
Resource Currency: material-$, property, food
Expertise Currency: special skills/knowledge
Social Network Currency: links with family, friends, acquaintances
Personal Currency: physical beauty, intelligence, charm, Comm skills, funny
Intimacy Currency: unique bond

5. How do you approach conflict?
Avoiding
Keep issues to myself
Usually avoid open discussion of my differences w/ others
Try to stay away from topics of disagree.
Keep disagreements to myself to avoid hard feelings
Try to avoid unpleasant exchanges
Accommodating
Generally try to satisfy others’ needs
Usually accommodate others’ wishes
Give in to others’ desires
Often go w/ others’ suggestions
Try to satisfy others’ expectations

6. Conflict approaches cont.
Competing
Use my influence to get my ideas accepted
Use my authority to make decisions go in my favor
Pursue my side of an issue
Sometimes use my power to win
Use my expertise to make sure decisions go my way
Collaborating
Investigate issues to find solutions acceptable to both
Integrate my ideas w/ those of others to come up w/ decision jointly
Work w/others to find solutions that satisfy both our expectations
Exchange info w/ others so we can solve problems together
Bring all our concerns out in the open so issues can be resolved

7. COMMUNICATION PATTERNS IN CONFLICT
UNPRODUCTIVE-Early
Disconfirming climate
Poor listening
Evident, negative nonverbal
Cross-complaining
Assuming, Discounting, Mind-reading

8. Unproductive cont. Middle Negative climate cont. to spiral
Kitchen-sinking
Interruptions
Derailing-rerouting
Cross-complaining & cutting other off

9. Unproductive cont. Later Self-preoccupation Counterproposals-competing
Self-summarizing
Egocentric communication
Metacommunication
Promotes dogmatism, rigid thinking, etc

10. Negative Spiral Egocentrism Poor listening Disconfirmation
Defensiveness
Dogmatism
Hostile mind reading
Kitchen-sinking
Self-summarizing…..

11. Constructive Conflict
Early
Climate sets the tone-recognizing & acknowledging
Sensitivity
Use of “I” language
Openness
Use of questioning

12. Constructive cont. Middle Agenda building-focusing
Bracketing for side issues
Ongoing respect demonstrated
Perception checking
Clarifying
Acknowledge ideas, feelings, concerns

13. Constructive cont. Later Collaborative resolution
Contracting-negotiating & acceptance

14. Short-Term Conflict Resolutions
Separation
Domination
Compromise
Integrative agreements
Structural improvements

15. Long-Term Conflict Resolutions
Collaboration

16. Unsolvable Conflicts You & the other Are not willing to change
Have goals that are irreconcilable & strongly held
Uncooperative
Chronically defensive
Violent

17. Grace Let go of anger, blame, judgments Given with no strings
Not always appropriate
May be a measurement of how a relationship progresses