Deck 8: C: Managing Conflict in Relationships

Question 1

From your own experiences, provide an example of a conflict that was triggered by unbalanced costs and rewards.

Answer 1

Examples will vary but should represent two or more people vying for access to some resource.

Question 2

What is the difference between flaming and trolling in the context of online conflict?

Answer 2

Flaming involves the posting of messages online that are deliberately hostile or insulting toward an individual, whereas trolling is the posting of provocative, offensive, and often false messages to forums or discussion boards in order to elicit a negative general reaction.

Question 3

In a single sentence, explain why compromise isn't considered a win-win approach to conflict management.

Answer 3

Compromise is not considered a win-win outcome because one or both partners have to give something up in order to come to a compromise.

Question 4

List two cooperative strategies that can be used to effectively manage conflict.

Question 5

Contrast an uncertain versus a defensive communication climate.

Question 6

What is the difference between conflict and conflict management?

Question 7

What is the difference between probing and playing devil's advocate?

Question 8

Provide a brief example of a conflict you have managed through compromise.
Answer Key

Question 9

List three of the five forms of provocation identified in your textbook.

Question 10

What are the three benefits of engaging in productive conflict?

Question 11

Describe the destructive tendency called taking conflict personally (TCP).

Question 12

Provide a brief example (real or hypothetical) to illustrate identity management as a form of provocation.