COM 110
Interpersonal Conflict & Small Group
Communication
Agenda (6.30)
Review of Interpersonal Communication - Key Word Quiz
Chapter 8 Managing Interpersonal
Conflict
Chapter 8 Goals
Conflict Exercise
Chapter 9 & 10
Small Group Communication
Goals – 9 & 10
In-Class Assignment – Effective Group Communication
Next Steps
Key Word Quiz
• Textbook Page 135 & 154
Chapter 8 Goals
• Define Interpersonal Conflict and the major conflict issues and
explain the myths about interpersonal conflict
• Explain the 3 principles of conflict and give examples of how conflict
can be negative or positive, how it is influenced by culture and
gender
• What are the consequences of your chosen conflict style?
• Describe and distinguish between the conflict management
strategies
• Explain how to use these strategies constructively in your own
interpersonal conflicts
Chapter 8 – Interpersonal
Conflict
How do we define
interpersonal conflict?
Interpersonal Conflict
• Interpersonal Conflict is a disagreement
between or among connected individuals who
perceive their goals as incompatible.
• Conflict occurs when people:
– Are interdependent
– Are mutually aware that their goas are
incompatible
– Perceive each other as interfering with each
others goals
Conflict and Interdependency
• As interdependency increases, so do the
potential for and the importance of conflict
True or False?
1. Conflict is best avoided. Time will solve the
problem; it will all blow over.
2. If two people experience relationship conflict, it
means their relationship is in trouble.
3. Conflict damages an interpersonal relationship.
4. Conflict is destructive because it reveals our
negative selves—our pettiness, our need to be in
control, our unreasonable expectations.
5. In any conflict, there has to be a winner and a loser.
Because goals are incompatible, someone has to
win and someone has to lose.
Interpersonal Conflict Principles
• Conflict can be positive or negative
• Conflict is influenced by culture and gender
• Conflict styles have consequences
Conflict can be negative or positive
• Negatives?
• Positives?
Conflict Styles Have
Consequences
• Competing: I win, you lose
• Avoiding: Lose, lose
• Compromising: Win and lose
• Accommodating: I lose, you win
• Collaborating: Win, win
Conflict and Gender
Which gender stereotype regarding conflict is
supported by research?
Answer:
the withdrawing and
sometimes aggressive
male
High
Concern for Self
Competition
Collaboration
Low
Compromise
Avoidance
Low
Accommodati
on
Concern for Others
High
Conflict and Culture
• Cultural differences – ex. Living with
extended family
• Collectivist cultures – ex. Korea – violation
of group norms
• Individualistic cultures – ex US – violating
expected norms
Conflict Videos
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SnSz
o4AbRI
• Conflict doesn’t have to be destructive:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1R84
-5DYEA
What do you think are
some factors to consider
when you’re trying to
manage conflict?
What are some factors to consider when
you’re trying to manage conflict?
• Long term and short term goals
• Your emotional state
• Your cognitive assessment
of the situation
• Your personality and comm.
competence
• Your family history
Test Yourself: Conflict
Management Strategies
• Textbook Page 164
What are some unproductive
conflict management strategies?
Defensiveness and Supportiveness
•
•
•
•
•
•
Evaluation
Control
Strategy
Neutrality
Superiority
Certainty
FaceAttacking
FaceEnhancing
Strategies that attack a
person’s positive face
Beltlining – hitting
below belt
Blame
Strategies that enhance positive
face
Confirm the other person’s selfimage.
Listen supportively and actively.
Use I-messages that avoid
blaming the other person.
Use excuses and apologies as
appropriate
What is the difference between
being verbally aggressive and
argumentative?
How argumentative are you?
In-Class Assignment: Effective Group
Communication
• Present your assignment to the class
Key Word Quiz
• Textbook Page 171
Chapter 9 & 10 Goals
• Terms – Small group, team, brainstorming, nominal, etc
• Understand stages of small group communication
• Distinguish among different types of groups – focus,
educational, encounter, etc
• Define problem-solving sequence and decision-making
methods
• Explain role of culture in sm group communication
• Distinguish among group task roles, group building, etc
• Define leadership and understand principles/myths
Small Group
• Small group is a collection of individuals
1. Who are connected to one another by some
common purpose
2. Who are interdependent
3. Have some degree of organization among
them
4. See themselves as a group
Team
• Particular kind of small group
– Specific purpose
– Clearly defined roles
– Goal directed
– Content focused
In-Class Assignment: Effective Group
Communication
•
•
•
Instructions:
Read the guidelines regarding member participation and skills on pages 196-198 of our text.
Apply these guidelines to a small group that you belong to (whether it is a book club, a study
group, a rock band, a committee, a playgroup, or any other small group where you periodically
meet). Document the following:
– What is the small group, and what is its goal?
– What roles are in the small group? What role do you play?
– What dimensions of your small group work well, and what dimensions could use
improvement? Based on the areas that can use improvement, select the best practices that
could address the improvement areas.
– How you will apply these guidelines:
– If your small group will meet prior to this assignment being due, to apply the best practices in
your meeting. Document which best practices you selected, what you did in the meeting, and
the results.
– If you don’t have an opportunity to meet with your small group before the assignment is due,
describe how you can apply the best practices to that particular group the next time you
meet. Include what you will say and do.
Small Group Stages
•
•
•
•
•
Opening
Feedforward
Business
Feedback
Closing
Small Group Formats
•
•
•
•
Roundtable
Panel
Symposium
Symposium-Forum
Small Group Apprehension
• Level of Apprehension depends on nature
of group, members –superiors or
colleagues only, etc
• How Apprehensive are you in group
discussions?
– Textbook Page 178
Test Yourself: How
Apprehensive are you in a
Group?
• Textbook Page 178
Small Group Culture
– Many established groups develop cultural
norms
– Group norms are rules or standards that
identify which behaviors are considered
appropriate
– High Context and Low Context Cultures
Types of Groups
• Brainstorming Groups
• Information Sharing Groups
– Educational/Learning Groups
– Focus Groups
• Personal Growth Groups
• Problem Solving Groups
What is the purpose of a
problem solving group?
Problem Solving Sequence
Define and analyze the problem
Establish evaluation criteria
Identify solutions
Evaluate solutions
Select best solution
Test solution
Brainstorming Exercise
1. Types of fundraisers that could be successful in
generating money to support student financial aid.
Two groups each with a Recorder should write down all
ideas on board. Would some be more feasible than
others? Have greatest opportunity for success? Can we
narrow down the top 3-5?
Problem-Solving Group
Exercise
• Divide class into two groups and each group selects an
idea for fundraiser
• Group outlines the event including: - other group can ask
questions
• Name of Event
• Description – dates/time/location
• Audience?
• How to Market event
• Details - Execution
• Projected costs, profit
Membership, Leadership &
Culture
Individual and Collective
Orientations
High & Low Power Distances
Members & Leaders
• Test Yourself – Page 194 and 201
• What makes a great leader?
http://www.ted.com/talks/roselinde_torres_
what_it_takes_to_be_a_great_leader?lang
uage=en
Group Think
• http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/59kpyq/
cass-sunstein
Next Steps
Discussion/Homework Week #7
• End of Module #7 & #8 Assessment- Due
Sunday night, 7.5