Ch. 01 The Nature of Conflict
Chapter Summary
Conflict happens. It is part and parcel of all our interactions – at work, with
romantic partners, with friends, and with our families. Why would you want to
study conflict? This study will help you learn new responses to situations that
inevitably arise. Conflict management approaches help in love relationships, family
interaction, and at work. Conflict management is defined as skills that can be
learned, based on principles of contemplate. Principled skills create authentic
conflict resolution approaches. Emotional intelligence remains a prerequisite for
one’s ability to engage in conflict effectively and appropriately.
Conflict is defined as “an expressed struggle between at least two parties who
perceive incompatible goals, scarce resources, and interference from others in
achieving their goals.”
Destructive conflict damages the parties and their relationship. In marriages, for
example, the four horsemen of the apocalypse destructive pattern is criticizing,
defensiveness, stonewalling, and contempt. Other negative patterns and individual
bad habits are discussed in detail. Hocker et al. (2021) provided specific
suggestions on alternatives to each one of these destructive responses.
In addition to these destructive patterns, it is helpful to understand escalatory
spirals and avoidance spirals. The runaway spirals take on a life of their own and
cannot be described by simply describing individual behaviors. After describing
theses, Hocker et al. (2021) suggested that you have opportunities for productive
conflict management, and that these opportunities will enrich your life greatly.
Chapter Outlines
Interpersonal Conflict Depends on Interpersonal Communication
Conflict Defined
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An expressed struggle
Interdependence
Perceived incompatible goals
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Perceived scarce resources
interference
Why Study Conflict?
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Family relationships
Love relationships
The workplace
The importance of skill development
Preventing Destructive Conflict
Understanding Destructive Conflicts
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The four horsemen: Criticizing, defensiveness, stonewalling, contempt
More examples of destructive habits
Escalatory spirals
Avoidance spirals
Your Opportunities
Discussion Topics
• First, please introduce yourself. Given that this is an online course that we
do not see one another face-to-face, how can we introduce ourselves to the
class? Please try your best to introduce yourself on the discussion board.
• Provide an overview of the nature of spirals that occur in ongoing conflicts.
Discuss how a spiral can be altered. Be sure to use a specific example to
make your point.
**At least two posts under this topic; one post to respond to the discussion
topic and at least another one to your classmates’ comments.
• In your idea, what is a competent communicator in conflict management?
Please provide examples.
**At least two posts under this topic; one post to respond to the discussion
topic and at least another one to your classmates’ comments.