Question 1

List, describe and provide an example of the principles of Systems Theory.

Accepted Answer

Systems Theory is a theoretical framework that examines the relationships and interactions between different components within a system. It is used to understand and analyze complex systems, such as organizations, ecosystems, and social structures. There are several key principles of Systems Theory, including:

1. Holism: This principle emphasizes the idea that a system is more than the sum of its parts. It suggests that the whole system must be studied and understood as a complete entity, rather than focusing solely on its individual components.

2. Interdependence: Systems Theory recognizes that the components within a system are interconnected and interdependent. Changes in one part of the system can have ripple effects throughout the entire system.

3. Feedback: Feedback loops are an essential aspect of Systems Theory. They refer to the process by which a system receives information about its own performance and uses that information to make adjustments and improvements.

4. Hierarchy: Systems Theory acknowledges that systems are often organized in a hierarchical manner, with different levels of organization and complexity. This principle helps to understand how different components within a system are structured and how they interact with each other.

5. Boundaries: Systems Theory also considers the boundaries of a system, both in terms of its physical limits and its interactions with its environment. Understanding these boundaries is crucial for understanding how a system functions and how it interacts with other systems.

An example of Systems Theory in action can be seen in an organization. A company can be viewed as a system with various departments, employees, and processes. By applying Systems Theory, managers can analyze how different parts of the organization interact, how changes in one department can affect others, and how feedback loops can be used to improve overall performance. This approach can help to identify and address issues within the organization and improve its overall effectiveness.

Question 2

Three bank employees had heard a lot of complaints from customers about how they were treated by other employees of the bank. These three people began to talk regularly about the problems they were hearing about and what they could do to avoid them in the future. Formation of this council is an example of which coalition principle?

Accepted Answer

A)  Coalitions begin for good reasons. 
B)  Coalitions and counter-coalitions become self-justifying. 
C)  Coalitions, which began as solutions to problems, become the problem. 
D)  Drawing coalitions gives you a diagnostic aid. 
E)  Forming coalitions occurs only in the workplace. 
A)  Coalitions begin for good reasons. 
B)  Coalitions and counter-coalitions become self-justifying. 
C)  Coalitions, which began as solutions to problems, become the problem. 
D)  Drawing coalitions gives you a diagnostic aid. 
E)  Forming coalitions occurs only in the workplace. D

Question 3

When analyzing coalitions in a conflict, the member who is "out" is called:

Accepted Answer

A)  the instigator 
B)  the investigator 
C)  the isolate 
D)  the intermediary 
E)  the mediator 
A)  the instigator 
B)  the investigator 
C)  the isolate 
D)  the intermediary 
E)  the mediator C

Question 4

What are system "rules," according to Hocker and Wilmot? Identify and discuss three examples of implicit/explicit rules you follow when engaging in conflict with someone in (a) your personal life or (b) your workplace.

Accepted Answer

According to Hocker and Wilmot, system "

Question 5

One option for addressing destructive coalitions is to "soften them."

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

A person in a "system" who is in few or no triangles is called the:

Accepted Answer

A)  sole problem 
B)  isolate 
C)  system reject 
D)  problem member 
E)  none of the above 
A)  sole problem 
B)  isolate 
C)  system reject 
D)  problem member 
E)  none of the above

Question 7

"Total marriages" are what the book suggests as the best goal for all marriages.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

All of the following are effective ways for assessing a conflict except:

Accepted Answer

A)  Observing the parties in conflict 
B)  Determining which party is at fault 
C)  Interviewing conflicting parties 
D)  Identifying patterns 
E)  Using metaphoric analysis 
A)  Observing the parties in conflict 
B)  Determining which party is at fault 
C)  Interviewing conflicting parties 
D)  Identifying patterns 
E)  Using metaphoric analysis

Question 9

Describe coalitions and their role in system wide conflicts. In your answer, discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of coalition formation.

Accepted Answer

Coalitions are formed when multiple part

Question 10

The concept of "circular causality" is less concerned with where the conflict started, and more concerned with the sequence of patterns in the conflict.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

According to the Difficult Conversations Guide, which of the following is most important?

Accepted Answer

A)  identifying who is being difficult 
B)  learning to deal with difficult people 
C)  utilizing neutral third parties 
D)  asking yourself "what happened?" 
E)  isolating triggers 
A)  identifying who is being difficult 
B)  learning to deal with difficult people 
C)  utilizing neutral third parties 
D)  asking yourself "what happened?" 
E)  isolating triggers

Question 12

A marriage where conflict is frequent and produces very little positive effect is considered a "vital" relationship.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Which of the following statements is an example of a "systems rule" in conflict?

Accepted Answer

A)  When Dad is angry at the youngest child, the older child intervenes. 
B)  Mom always talks to the kids on behalf of Dad. 
C)  No one talks about the conflict until months after it occurs. 
D)  Dad always initiates the conflicts. 
E)  All of the above are possible "rules" in a system that is experiencing conflict. 
A)  When Dad is angry at the youngest child, the older child intervenes. 
B)  Mom always talks to the kids on behalf of Dad. 
C)  No one talks about the conflict until months after it occurs. 
D)  Dad always initiates the conflicts. 
E)  All of the above are possible "rules" in a system that is experiencing conflict.

Question 14

Although forming coalitions often happens naturally, they can become toxic if the groups begin to engage in destructive conflict.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

The text claims that a person should never escalate a conflict.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

According to the Conflict Assessment Guide, the question "What attitudes toward conflict do participants seem to hold?" helps clarify which of the following components?

Accepted Answer

A)  orientation to the conflict 
B)  nature of the conflict 
C)  interests 
D)  styles 
E)  personal intervention 
A)  orientation to the conflict 
B)  nature of the conflict 
C)  interests 
D)  styles 
E)  personal intervention

Question 17

If a conflict progresses to Stage IV, as described in the book, the authors suggested that a neutral 3rd-party become involved to help.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

List, describe and provide an example of the eight parts of the Conflict Assessment Guide.

Accepted Answer

The Conflict Assessment Guide is a tool

Question 19

Summarize the guidelines put forth in the Difficult Conversations Guide. Use these guidelines to construct three specific suggestions for a conflict you have experienced in the past or are experiencing now.

Accepted Answer

The Difficult Conversations Guide provid

Question 20

What does it mean that the "conflict serves the system in some way?" How is this different than or similar to how you have perceived conflict up to this point?

Accepted Answer

The statement "conflict serves the syste

List, describe and provide an example of the principles of Systems Theory.

When analyzing coalitions in a conflict, the member who is "out" is called:

What are system "rules," according to Hocker and Wilmot? Identify and discuss three examples of implicit/explicit rules you follow when engaging in conflict with someone in (a) your personal life or (b) your workplace.

One option for addressing destructive coalitions is to "soften them."

A person in a "system" who is in few or no triangles is called the:

"Total marriages" are what the book suggests as the best goal for all marriages.

All of the following are effective ways for assessing a conflict except:

Describe coalitions and their role in system wide conflicts. In your answer, discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of coalition formation.

The concept of "circular causality" is less concerned with where the conflict started, and more concerned with the sequence of patterns in the conflict.

According to the Difficult Conversations Guide, which of the following is most important?

A marriage where conflict is frequent and produces very little positive effect is considered a "vital" relationship.

Which of the following statements is an example of a "systems rule" in conflict?

Although forming coalitions often happens naturally, they can become toxic if the groups begin to engage in destructive conflict.

The text claims that a person should never escalate a conflict.

According to the Conflict Assessment Guide, the question "What attitudes toward conflict do participants seem to hold?" helps clarify which of the following components?

If a conflict progresses to Stage IV, as described in the book, the authors suggested that a neutral 3^rd-party become involved to help.

List, describe and provide an example of the eight parts of the Conflict Assessment Guide.

Summarize the guidelines put forth in the Difficult Conversations Guide. Use these guidelines to construct three specific suggestions for a conflict you have experienced in the past or are experiencing now.

What does it mean that the "conflict serves the system in some way?" How is this different than or similar to how you have perceived conflict up to this point?

The Nature of Conflict

Perspectives on Conflict

Interests and Goals

Power: the Structure of Conflict

Styles

Emotions in Conflict

Interpersonal Negotiation

Third-Party Intervention

The Practice of Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Filters

Exam 7: Analyzing Your Conflicts

List, describe and provide an example of the principles of Systems Theory.

When analyzing coalitions in a conflict, the member who is "out" is called:

What are system "rules," according to Hocker and Wilmot? Identify and discuss three examples of implicit/explicit rules you follow when engaging in conflict with someone in (a) your personal life or (b) your workplace.

One option for addressing destructive coalitions is to "soften them."

A person in a "system" who is in few or no triangles is called the:

"Total marriages" are what the book suggests as the best goal for all marriages.

All of the following are effective ways for assessing a conflict except:

Describe coalitions and their role in system wide conflicts. In your answer, discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of coalition formation.

The concept of "circular causality" is less concerned with where the conflict started, and more concerned with the sequence of patterns in the conflict.

According to the Difficult Conversations Guide, which of the following is most important?

A marriage where conflict is frequent and produces very little positive effect is considered a "vital" relationship.

Which of the following statements is an example of a "systems rule" in conflict?

Although forming coalitions often happens naturally, they can become toxic if the groups begin to engage in destructive conflict.

The text claims that a person should never escalate a conflict.

According to the Conflict Assessment Guide, the question "What attitudes toward conflict do participants seem to hold?" helps clarify which of the following components?

If a conflict progresses to Stage IV, as described in the book, the authors suggested that a neutral 3rd-party become involved to help.

List, describe and provide an example of the eight parts of the Conflict Assessment Guide.

Summarize the guidelines put forth in the Difficult Conversations Guide. Use these guidelines to construct three specific suggestions for a conflict you have experienced in the past or are experiencing now.

What does it mean that the "conflict serves the system in some way?" How is this different than or similar to how you have perceived conflict up to this point?

The Nature of Conflict

Perspectives on Conflict

Interests and Goals

Power: the Structure of Conflict

Styles

Emotions in Conflict

Interpersonal Negotiation

Third-Party Intervention

The Practice of Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Filters

If a conflict progresses to Stage IV, as described in the book, the authors suggested that a neutral 3^rd-party become involved to help.