Deck 8: B: Managing Conflict in Relationships

Question 1

If you sit down and talk to your significant other about the way the two of you fight, you are engaging in which communication strategy?

A) playing devil's advocate
B) apology
C) metacommunication
D) disclosure
Answer Key

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Danny and his roommate Matt have very different definitions of "clean," and this leads to a lot of frustration for Danny, who likes to keep their apartment spotless. However, every time Danny tries to talk to Matt about his frustration, Matt becomes upset and he lashes out at Danny saying things like, "Are you calling me a pig? Why do you always assume that the mess is mine? I feel like I'm constantly being judged." What would we call Matt's response?

A) unproductive conflict
B) aggression
C) conflict avoidance
D) taking conflict personally

Answer 2

D

Question 3

An individual who would rather lose an argument than hurt the other person's feelings might yield his or her position to accommodate the other person. What is this escapist style called?

A) avoiding
B) obliging
C) distancing
D) silence

Answer 3

B

Question 4

What do we call the atmosphere surrounding how we feel about our communication in different relationships?

A) mood
B) power dynamics
C) identity management
D) communication climate

Question 5

After Marissa became frustrated with an insensitive comment Kevin made toward her, she excused herself and worked independently for the rest of the day. After work, she asked to switch shifts for the next few days so that she could have a bit of distance from him. What escapist style did Marissa use?

A) avoiding
B) obliging
C) distancing
D) silence

Question 6

______________ is an interaction between two or more interdependent people who perceive that they have contradictory goals or scarce resources.

A) Unproductive conflict
B) Productive conflict
C) Conflict
D) Conflict management

Question 7

Conflict that is managed effectively is referred to as

A) resolution.
B) productive conflict.
C) pseudoconflict.
D) managed conflict.

Question 8

Which of the following is not one of the ways in which productive conflict may benefit the parties involved?

A) fostering healthy debate
B) gaining influence or control over others
C) spurring relationship growth
D) improving decision making

Question 9

In a(n) ___________ culture, people approach conflict with an emphasis on each person's needs, rights, and identity over a focus on those of the larger group.

A) high-context
B) low-context
C) individualist
D) collectivist

Question 10

Which of the following is not identified as a form of provocation?

A) passivity
B) incompetence
C) aggression
D) relationship threats

Question 11

When Christiana brings home a low math grade on her report card, she is greeted at the door with a disapproving look from her mother. At the dinner table, both of her parents are silent as they eat and neither responds to her comments about her day, until she finally says, "I'm sorry I didn't do well in math this term!" Her father replies, "Why aren't you earning better grades?" Based on this information, within what type of culture(s) would we infer that Christiana lives?

A) masculine
B) feminine
C) individualist and low-context
D) collectivist and high-context

Question 12

The posting of deliberately hostile or insulting online messages that are usually intended to provoke anger is referred to as

A) slamming.
B) flaming.
C) cyberbullying.
D) cyberstalking.

Question 13

George is diligent about his studies and always works hard to earn good grades. He's become increasingly frustrated because he feels like it doesn't matter how hard he works in his anthropology class-he just cannot earn anything better than a B. Which of the following appears to be the trigger for George's conflict?

A) unbalanced costs and rewards
B) inaccurate perceptions
C) incompatible goals
D) provocation

Question 14

The conflict style that leads to a win-win resolution of the conflict is the

A) indirect fighting style.
B) direct fighting style.
C) compromising style.
D) collaborating style.

Question 15

An atmosphere of mistrust, suspicion, and apprehension characterize which kind of communication climate?

A) uncertain
B) defensive
C) stormy
D) supportive