COM 312 Midterm: Questions & Answers: Latest Updated Solution

what are the components of the definition of interpersonal conflict? (Ans- a problematic situation with the following characteristics: -the conflicting parties are interdependent -they seek incompatible goals or outcomes or they favor incompatible means to the same ends. -there is a sense of urgency about the need to resolves what are the stages of successful conflict and what is involved in each? (Ans- -competent communicators not only try to repeat the skill, they are also able to perform -how are you going to communicate? -meta conflict: you can look back on conflicts you have experienced, and learn from mistakes what is involved in the "process" view of conflict communication? (Ans- -triggering event: behavior that the parties in conflict forms the group for the conflict we are experiencing -initiation phase: conflict has become "overt" (one person makes known to the other that conflict exists -differentiation phase: participants use constructive or destructive strategies and tactics. (serves as as useful purpose by allowing parties to explain how they see the situation -resolution phase: those accept some out to the conflict (win-win) how do the linear and transactional views of conflict differ? (Ans- linear model: using words-- sender, receiver, channel, noise and feedback --emphasize the end product; it is a narrow view, we limit our view of interpersonal conflict as something we do to someone transactional model: managing and coordinating --exchange of verbal and nonverbal messages --implication- we view communicators as working together PRIMARY DIFFERENCE: linear model is a conveyor belt, transactional model, communication is seen more as a dance that 2 people do together define civility (Ans- constituted by an attitude of respect toward others manifested in our behavior toward them. --commitment to learn --attentive, acknowledging, thinking the best of others, listening, inclusive, kind works, apologize when necessary define incompatible goals (Ans- occur when we are seeking outcomes --i.e. we want to buy a different car, but can only afford to but one OR deciding on where to take a trip what are the functional and dysfunctional conflict cycles? (Ans- dysfunctional conflict cycles: are scripted - confrontation avoidance/accommodation- those who first impulse is to avoid initiating conflict or to quickly give in -avoidance -communication apprehension -accommodating -gunnysacking what is the "preferred" approach? (Ans- Collaboration how does collaboration relate to goal achievement? (Ans- -use low avoidance and high collaboration, show preparedness to use accommodation - genuine and mutual understanding -committed to a win-win solution rigid in terms of the goal of developing mutually satisfying solutions, but are flexible on how to achieve them.` what are scripts? (Ans- routine events that we perform with little deviation each time that we do them. -- behaviors are repeated what is involved in attribution theory? (Ans- stakes that people act as they do in conflict situations because of their inferences -disapprove of your actions-internal attribution: name calling -approval of the behavior- external: avoid blame -attributions affect the way people define conflicts attribution error: trying to blame it on someone else