Managing Interpersonal Conflict

Conflict
 Common causes: intimacy, power, personal behaviors, distance, socialization, distrust  Content conflicts  Relational conflicts

Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008

Conflict
Positive aspects of conflict
 Examines problem(s); work towards potential solution(s)  Each states own needs/wants  Prevents hostilities and resentments from festering  Shows ability to resolve conflict satisfactorily; stabilizes relationship

Negative aspects of conflict

   

Increased negative feeling for opponent Depletion of energy Close off self to the other party Leads to further conflict, hurt, and resentment

Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008

Cultural Context
 Cultural differences
 value orientations  expressions of different perceptions  face-saving or avoidance face-

 Gender differences

Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Factors to consider: 1. The goals to be achieved 2. Your emotional state 3. Your cognitive assessment of the situation 4. Your personality and communication competence 5. Your family history

Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008

Conflict Management
Force and Talk
 Forceusing either physical or emotional power, or both (Abuse is a high factor in divorce)  Talkthe only real alternative to force

Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008

Conflict Managing Styles Competing Avoiding Accommodating Collaborating Compromising

Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008

DEFENSIVENESS AND SUPPORTIVENESS

Evaluation Control Strategy Neutrality Superiority Certainty
Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008

Other Conflict Management Terms

       

FaceFace-enhancing FaceFace-detracting Blame and empathy Silencers Facilitating open expression Gunnysacking and present focus Verbal aggressiveness Argumentativeness

Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008

DECISION MAKING METHODS in small groups.

Authority Members voice their feelings and opinions but the leader, boss or CEO makes the final decision. Advantages: An efficient method, it gets things done quickly and the amount of discussion can be limited as desired. Experience and informed members (i.e. those who have been with the company longest) will probably exert a greater influence on the decision maker. Disadvantages: Members may not feel the need to contribute their insights and may become distanced from the power within the group or organization. It may lead members to give the decision maker what they feel she or he wants to receive, a condition that can easily lead to groupthink.

DECISION MAKING METHODS in small groups.

Majority Rule With this method the group agrees to abide by the majority decision and may vote on various issues as the group progresses to solve its problem. Useful method for a relatively unimportant issues.

Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008

DECISION MAKING METHODS in small groups

Consensus. The group reaches a decision only when all group members agree. Usually takes longest and can lead to a great deal of wasted time if members wish to prolong the discussion process needlessly or selfishly. This method may also put great pressure on the person who honestly disagrees but who doesnt want to prevent the group from making a decision.

Copyright (c) Allyn & Bacon 2008