Q&A Hero

Q: Ineffective communication can hurt individuals, damage relationships, and undermine the possibility of resolving problems

Q: Researchers report that there is no direct association between marital happiness and the number of arguments that spouses have

Q: Low levels of conflict could reflect limited emotional depth between partners or unwillingness to engage in communication about differences

Q: In a game called "blemish", one person pretends to complimentary but actually puts the other person down

Q: A common form of covert conflict is passive aggression, which is acting aggressively while denying feelings or acting aggressive

Q: The presence of conflict does not indicate that a relationship is unhealthy or in trouble, and how partners manage conflict doesn't influence relational health

Q: Most of us have attitudes about conflict that reflects scripts we learned in our families

Q: Conflict is a normal, inevitable part of most interpersonal relationships

Q: Mainstream culture in the United States emphasizes assertiveness and individuality

Q: The majority of Mediterranean cultures regard lively conflict as normal, valuable part of everyday life

Q: Women are more likely than men to use coercive tactics, both verbal and physical, to avoid discussing problems and to force their resolutions on others

Q: Sexual orientation doesn't seem to be a major influence on how people see and deal with conflict

Q: Disagreement and conflict are strongly disapproved of in many Asian cultures

Q: The win-win conflict style is always the best approach

Q: Conflict exists if people have differences

Q: In this stage, in unproductive conflict this involves meeting proposals with counter-proposals, in constructive conflict people continue to collaborate a early b middle c later d exit e dual

Q: In this stage of unproductive conflict tend to be marked by infrequent interruptions that disrupt the flow of talk a early b middle c later d exit e dual

Q: In this stage, the foundation of constructive management of conflict is established long before a specific disagreement is aired a early b middle c later d exit e dual

Q: In regards to on the job conflict, it is ____ a infrequent b rare c common d moderate e obsolete

Q: All of the following are conflict management skills except: a attend to the relationship level of meaning b communication supportively c listening mindlessly d take responsibility for your thoughts, feelings, and issues e check perceptions

Q: In this stage, attention shifts to resolving the tension and partners engage in contradicting a early b middle c later d exit e dual

Q: The ____ stages of constructive conflict is marked by what Gottman calls agenda building a early b middle c later d exit e imaginary

Q: All of the following are American styles of negotiation EXCEPT: a push to reach decisions cautiously b be adversarial c work to win all you can d overstate initial position to establish a strong image e keep your bottom line secret from the other person to preserve power and gain the most

Q: Each of the following are Japanese styles of negotiation EXCEPT: a avoid confrontation b avoid explicit disagreement c work to make sure that neither you nor the other person succeeds d plan to spend a long time discussing issues before moving toward a decision e understate your own initial position

Q: All of the following are conflict management skills. EXCEPT: a listen mindfully b communicate supportively c own your feelings, thoughts, and issues d look for points of disagreement e imagine how you will feel in the future

Q: All of the following are five principles of interpersonal conflict EXCEPT: a conflict is both natural and inevitable in interpersonal relationships b conflict can be directly communicated or covertly expressed through indirect communication or games that camouflage real issues c conflict styles and meanings are shaped by social locationmembership in cultures and social communities d conflict influences its resolution and its impact on interpersonal climates e conflict can be destructive for individuals and relationships

Q: The opposite or unproductive communication of asking for clarification is: a hostile mind reading b cross-complaining c excessive metacommunication d validation of each other e kitchen-sinking

Q: The opposite or unproductive communication of self-summarizing by both parties is: a summarizing the concerns b cross-complaining c excessive metacommunication d validation of each other e kitchen-sinking

Q: The opposite or unproductive communication of frequent interruptions is: a infrequent interruptions b cross-complaining c excessive metacommunication d validation of each other e kitchen-sinking

Q: The opposite or unproductive communication of negative affect is: a positive affect b cross-complaining c excessive metacommunication d validation of each other e kitchen-sinking

Q: The opposite or unproductive communication of focus on specific issues is: a poor listening b cross-complaining c excessive metacommunication d validation of each other e kitchen-sinking

Q: The opposite or unproductive communication of recognition of each other is: a poor listening b cross-complaining c excessive metacommunication d validation of each other e kitchen-sinking

Q: The opposite or unproductive communication of useful metacommunication is: a poor listening b cross-complaining c excessive metacommunication d validation of each other e kitchen-sinking

Q: The opposite or unproductive communication of sensitive listening is: a poor listening b cross-complaining c excessive metacommunication d validation of each other e kitchen-sinking

Q: The opposite or unproductive communication of dual perspective is: a poor listening b cross-complaining c excessive metacommunication d preoccupation with self e kitchen-sinking

Q: All of the following are forms of unproductive communication EXCEPT: a poor listening b cross-complaining c excessive metacommunication d validation of each other e kitchen-sinking

Q: All of the following are forms of constructive communication EXCEPT: a counterproposals b sensitive listening c compromises d dual perspective e asking for clarification

Q: All of the following are distinct ways North Americans respond to relational distress EXCEPT: a exit b voice c cognitive complexity d neglect e loyalty

Q: Desi then says, "Well, if you hadn't wrecked the car, it wouldn't need repairs and it wouldn't be a problem." Consuela replies, "Yeah, and if you had been home when you said you'd be, I wouldn't have driven that day." Now Desi and Consuela are engaging in what conflict pattern? a cross-complaining b excessive metacommunication c self-summarizing d making counterproposals e kitchensinking

Q: Desi and Consuela are arguing about how to spend the tax refund they received. He says they should get the car fixed; she says they should first go on a vacation; he then suggests they fix the car and use any money left to vacation; she suggests they sell the car and be rid of the problem. Desi and Consuela are engaging in which pattern of unproductive conflict? a excessive metacommunication b kitchensinking c counterproposals d cross-complaining e self-summarizing

Q: Specific communication behaviors that contribute to unproductive interpersonal conflict include all of the following EXCEPT: a disconfirmation b hostile mindreading c asking questions for clarification d self-summarizing e offering counterproposals

Q: The ____ response to interpersonal conflict is both destructiveand passive a exit b voice c loyalty d neglect e ambush

Q: The most interpersonally constructivepassiveresponse to relational conflict is: a exit b voice c loyalty d neglect e ambush

Q: The most activeand interpersonally constructiveresponse to relational conflict is: a exit b voice c loyalty d neglect e ambush

Q: Constructive conflict communication includes: a preoccupation with oneself b hostile mindreading c excessive metacommunication d agenda building e frequent interruptions

Q: Janet believes that nobody can win when conflict erupts. From her perspective, everyone is hurt by conflicts. Janet's orientation to conflict is best described as: a hit-miss b win-win c win-lose d tie-tie e lose-lose

Q: Lenny says, "I don't like to lose arguments. The way I figure it, when you have a disagreement there can be only one winner." Lenny's orientation to conflict is best described as: a hit-miss b win-win c win-lose d tie-tie e lose-lose

Q: Zach believes that in conflict situations the goal is to find a solution that all those involved can accept. Zach's orientation to conflict is best described as: a hit-miss b win-win c win-lose d tie-tie e lose-lose

Q: According to Eric Berne, games: a are effective ways to manage conflict b involve overt responses to conflict situations c do not require that both people cooperate d allow those in conflict to hand disagreements in fun ways e hide the real issues in a conflict

Q: Which one of the following statements is true about conflict in relationships? a Disagreement must be expressed directly for conflict to exist b Conflict is inevitable in all interpersonal relationships c Any difference in values, opinions, attitudes, and/or beliefs will lead to conflict d Wanting to resolve differences is not essential for conflict to be present e Healthy relationships have little to no conflict

Q: What happens in the early, middle, and later stages of unproductive conflict?

Q: What are some ways for handling workplace conflict effectively?

Q: Discuss and explain the different responses to conflict

Q: Discuss the different approaches to conflict and give an example of each

Q: Explain the five principles of conflict

Q: Describe three Japanese styles of communication during business negotiations and three American styles of communication during business negotiations as found by McDaniel & Quasha, 2000 and Weiss, 1987

Q: Eric Berne catalogued a number of games that people play. Define the concept of games as Berne does, describe their characteristics, and provide an example to illustrate this concept. From what you know about effective communication during conflict and constructive conflict, discuss two skills, guidelines, or behaviors that can help to minimize game playing in relationships

Q: In Chapter 9, Julia Wood discussed the concept of grace. Define this concept and explain under what conditions and in what relationships showing grace is appropriate and inappropriate

Q: Contrast the communication behaviors identified as contributing to constructive and unproductive interpersonal conflict. Relate the behaviors to principles of verbal communication, nonverbal behavior, and listening to explain why particular behaviors are ineffective or effective

Q: What are the characteristics of forgiveness? How is forgiveness a part of conflict? Describe an example from your own experiences in forgiveness was part of the conflict process

Q: Explain and illustrate the continuum of communication climates

Q: Explain the differences between defensive and supportive communication

Q: Explain and provide examples of confirming and disconfirming messages

Q: Baxter (1990) has identified four ways partners handle the tension generated by opposing needs. Name and give an example of each way partners negotiate dialectical tensions

Q: Discuss some of the guidelines for confirming communication with people with disabilities

Q: Building on the research of Buber and Laing, communication scholars have identified three levels of communication that (dis)confirm others. Distinguish among the three levels by providing a definition and an example of a disconfirming and confirming statement for each level. For extra credit, explain why Buber felt confirmation is so important to our interpersonal lives

Q: Using Gibb's categories of communication behaviors, describe the climate of this class. Be sure to include specific examples of each type of communication you perceive as affecting the classroom climate

Q: Distinguish between love and commitment. Then explain how each is communicated and how it affects relationships between people

Q: Discuss the four features that research indicates are characteristic of satisfying close relationships. After identifying each feature, explain and illustrate how it is communicated between people

Q: Communication researchers report that evaluative communication evokes defensiveness

Q: Few of us feel what Gibb called "psychologically sage" when we are the targets of judgments

Q: When talking with people with disabilities, you may offer assistance, but don't provide it unless your offer is accepted

Q: When you talk with people who use a wheelchair or crutches, try to position yourself at their eye level and in front of them to allow good eye contact

Q: Unlike passion or attraction, which arise in the present, commitment links partners together in the future

Q: Commitment is a decision to remain in a relationship. Notice that commitment is defined as a decision, not a feeling

Q: Investments cannot be recovered, so the only way to reap the benefits of your investments is to stick with a relationship

Q: When we perceive ourselves as investing more than our partner, we tend to be dissatisfied and resentful. When we perceive our partner as investing more than we are, we may feel guilty. Thus, perceived inequity erodes satisfaction and communication

Q: Investments are what we put into relationships that we could not retrieve if the relationship were to end

Q: Westerners often disclose personal information to casual friends and acquaintances, whereas Japanese tend to disclose only to very close friends

Q: Of the many influences, four are particularly critical for building and sustaining satisfying personal relationships: investment, commitment, trust, and comfort with relational dialectics