Deck 5: Power: the Architecture of Conflict

Question 1

Which of the following statements would be inconsistent with a relational view of power?

A) the relational view points to the tenuous status of resources used as the basis of power
B) interaction is the primary means through which endorsement is enacted
C) power always hinges on the endorsement of resources
D) how a power move is executed influences its endorsement
E) power is best viewed as the possession of an individual

Answer 1

E

Question 2

Research has found that when there is an imbalance of power in a relationship, a "chilling effect" can occur between the parties. Which of the following statements best characterize the likely result of a chilling effect in an imbalanced power relationship?

A) the weaker party asks many questions in an effort to stop the stronger party from controlling events in the relationship
B) the stronger party asks the weaker party to stop raising issues in order to save the relationship
C) the stronger party only talks about issues that are positive for the relationship and its future
D) the weaker party develops a coalition with another person to help prevent the stronger party from be too controlling in the relationship
E) the weaker party is less likely to express or address conflict issues because he/shesense the stronger party has better alternatives to the current relationship

Answer 2

E

Question 3

A teacher has threatened several times to tell a 4th grader's parents about the student's misconduct in class to change his behavior. Eventually she does send a note home stating her complaints about the student. The following week the student's behavior gets worse and the student tells the teacher that "my parents never have been able to find a way to punish me." The way this conflict unfolded reflects which principle of power and conflict?

A) the mystique of power is often lost
B) it is rarely possible to stop social categorization
C) issue control is often not as effective as powerful people think
D) power can erode when it is used
E) weaker parties are often influenced by non-decisions

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Tactics are the different ways in which power gets enacted in conflict situations. Explain how the tactic "issue control" is based on the hidden use of power.

Question 5

Which of the following is not a likely consequence of being the weaker party in an unbalanced power relationship?

A) the weaker parties' needs will not be met
B) the stronger party will be able to define the conflict in a way that supports them
C) the weaker party will gain stature by relying on the chilling effect
D) the weaker party may rely upon learned helplessness
E) the weaker party may rely upon desperate acts to gain influence

Question 6

A manager is able to influence an employee's work behavior by offering the employee monetary incentives (e.g. bonus money). According to a relational view of power, this influence happened because:

A) the manager endorsed the power of the employee
B) the employee endorsed the resources of the manager
C) the manager has sufficient status
D) the manager has undermined other available resources
E) the employee has drawn upon the power of her status

Question 7

Explain how the failure to carry out a threat can undermine the endorsement of a party's resources.

Question 8

The social categorization process and the mystique of power are similar in that:

A) both explain how triggering events happen
B) both result from a person's loss of power
C) both are unconscious bases for endorsing power
D) both are involved in the use of issue control
E) both are defense mechanisms

Question 9

Gang fights can become very destructive because the gang identity overrides each member's personal identity. When one gang member attacks a rival gang member, the attack is often seen as an attack on the gang identity, not on the specific gang member. This process can best be described as:

A) the mystique of power
B) the balance of power
C) the eccentricity effect
D) the impact of hidden power
E) deindividuation