Deck 10: Conflict and Conflict Resolution

Question 1

_________ conflict is a situation in which two or more people in an interdependent relationship perceive themselves to have different viewpoints or goals that are not consistent.

A) Interactive
B) Interpersonal
C) Interdependent
D) Incongruent

Answer 1

Interpersonal

Question 2

Sally and Stephan are currently disagreeing about how money should be spent and saved in their family. Stephan thinks Sally spends too little, and Sally thinks Stephan spends too much. This _________ conflict is resulting in weekly arguments.

A) interactive
B) interdependent
C) interpersonal
D) incongruent

Answer 2

interpersonal

Question 3

In a(n) _________ relationship, both or all parties have a stake in continuing the relationship.

A) interactive
B) interpersonal
C) interdependent
D) incongruent

Answer 3

interdependent

Question 4

Although they occasionally argue, Mark and Kayla are invested in their relationship. She depends on him for support in her challenging college major, and he depends on her to help him with his parents. They have a(n) __________ relationship.

A) dependent
B) interdependent
C) personal
D) interpersonal

Question 5

Goals that we perceive as different may not be. One way to determine if goals are truly incompatible is by _______ goals early.

A) announcing
B) forgetting
C) arguing about
D) clarifying

Question 6

Samter & Cupachs' (1988) study of friendships found that _________ of the participants acknowledged conflicts in their relationships with each other.

A) 5 percent
B) 10 percent
C) 70 percent
D) Virtually all

Question 7

John Gottman, the leading researcher on the dynamics of happy relationships, found _______ correlations between the amount of conflict in a relationship and its overall health.

A) no
B) weak negative
C) strong negative
D) positive

Question 8

In research on relationship development and satisfaction, FBF stands for

A) fighting but friends.
B) free beer forever.
C) frustrated been fighting.
D) first big fight.

Question 9

According to Siegert & Stamp (1994), individuals surviving their first big fights in relationships report

A) the conflicts are dramatic enough to prevent future relationships.
B) the conflicts lead to a greater sense of mutual commitment to the relationship.
C) subsequent fights occur more frequently.
D) previous fights were less destructive in nature.

Question 10

The perspective that within conflict there is only one winner is most likely to occur in _______ cultures.

A) collectivistic
B) individualistic
C) low power distance
D) feminine

Question 11

In research on the First Big Fight in relationships, the characteristic that differentiated survivors and nonsurvivors was

A) number of previous fights.
B) how long they were in conflict.
C) number of previous relationships.
D) perceptions and expectations of conflicts.

Question 12

Survivors of the first big fights studied by Siegert & Stamp (1994) were more likely to believe that a successful relationship

A) was one without conflict.
B) required extreme sacrifice from one of the parties.
C) required a joint effort in problem solving.
D) involves partners who are resistant to changing ways of doing things.

Question 13

According to Hamilton, conflict myths gain power from their place in our __________ awareness.

A) conscious
B) preconscious
C) unconscious
D) relationship

Question 14

"Compromise? Why should I compromise? I'm right!" The speaker of this statement clearly believes which myth associated with conflicts in relationships?

A) Healthy relationships have little or no conflict.
B) Conflict is always destructive.
C) In any conflict, there can be only one winner.
D) It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.

Question 15

"I can't believe we are arguing about this! We must not have the good relationship I thought we did." Which of the following myths associated with conflicts in relationships is referred to in the previous statement?

A) Healthy relationships have little or no conflict.
B) Conflict is always destructive.
C) In any conflict, there can be only one winner.
D) It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.

Question 16

"I am glad we had this argument. Now that I have heard your side, and you've heard mine, I feel closer to you." Which of the following myths associated with conflicts in relationships is debunked by this statement?

A) Healthy relationships have little or no conflict.
B) Conflict is always destructive.
C) In any conflict, there can be only one winner.
D) It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.

Question 17

According to the dual concern model, two factors whose levels characterize different types of conflict are ______ and

A) interest; responsibility.
B) loudness; concern.
C) assertiveness; cooperativeness.
D) accessibility; motivation.

Question 18

Carmen is highly interested in pursuing her own goals. According to the dual-concern model, she is

A) high in assertiveness.
B) high in cooperativeness.
C) low in assertiveness.
D) low in cooperativeness.

Question 19

__________ involves the degree to which we want to be in a relationship or support the goals of the other person.

A) Assertiveness
B) Accommodation
C) Domination
D) Cooperating

Question 20

In the __________ conflict style, there is a high degree of interest in the relationship and a low degree of concern about one's own interest.

A) dominating
B) accommodating
C) avoiding
D) compromising

Question 21

Christine would do anything to maintain her current relationship with Devon, even at the risk of her own self-interest. She clearly has a(n) ___________ conflict style.

A) assertiveness
B) accommodation
C) domination
D) cooperating

Question 22

When the accommodating style is used too frequently, the accommodator often ends up feeling

A) powerful.
B) helpful.
C) used.
D) overbearing.

Question 23

Under which of the following conditions is the accommodating conflict style an effective strategy?

A) In short-term relationships, where decisions are critical
B) In short-term relationships, where decisions are compromises
C) In long-term relationships, where one person's desire for something is stronger than the other's competing desire
D) In long-term relationships, where both people's desires are equally important to the requestors

Question 24

In long-term relationships, it is often beneficial to accommodate another's request if he or she has accommodated you in the past. This is also known as

A) avoiding.
B) reciprocity.
C) dominating.
D) justifying.

Question 25

Jason has a high degree of interest in his own goals and a low degree of interest in his relationship with Angela or even Angela herself. Jason's conflict style is

A) avoiding.
B) accommodating.
C) dominating.
D) justifying.

Question 26

Zach's conflict style often includes threats and nonverbal behaviors, such as stonewalling. His style is also known as

A) compromising.
B) dominating.
C) accommodating.
D) justifying.

Question 27

The only time the dominating conflict style may be helpful is in a _____________by a(n)

A) personal relationship; stonewaller.
B) work environment; subordinate.
C) personal relationship; avoider.
D) work environment; legitimate authority.

Question 28

The _________ style is usually characterized by a low degree of interest in pursuing one's own goals, as well as a low degree of interest in maintaining the relationship or the other person's goals.

A) avoiding
B) dominating
C) accommodating
D) cooperating

Question 29

Which of the following characteristics best describes the type of person who routinely avoids conflict?

A) Experiences with conflict have been positive
B) Higher biological tolerance for emotional stress
C) Experiences with conflict have been negative
D) Always recognizes conflict

Question 30

A person who typically uses the avoiding style of conflict has a low degree of interest in pursuing his or her own goals and a

A) high degree of interest in supporting the relationship.
B) high degree of interest in supporting the other person's goals.
C) low degree of interest in supporting the relationship, but a high degree of interest in supporting the other person's goals.
D) low degree of interest in supporting the relationship and a low degree of interest in supporting the other person's goals.

Question 31

One common type of behavior used in the avoiding conflict style is

A) stonewalling.
B) threatening.
C) compromising.
D) downplaying the significance of the issue.

Question 32

Research on the effects of avoiding conflict shows

A) neither long-term positive nor negative effects.
B) only long-term negative effects.
C) mixed positive and negative effects.
D) only long-term positive effects.

Question 33

According to marriage researcher John Gottman, the avoiding style can be useful in resolving conflict if

A) only the husband uses it.
B) only the wife uses it.
C) both partners use it.
D) avoidance is used to increase blood pressure.

Question 34

Marriage researcher John Gottman suggested the avoidance style of conflict is used by some individuals

A) as a reaction to a rapidly decreasing blood pressure.
B) to irritate their partners.
C) to calm their partners.
D) as a reaction to a rapidly increasing blood pressure.

Question 35

One of the long-term risks of the avoidance conflict style in a relationship is the inability to

A) develop conflict resolution styles and, therefore, the ability to handle more extreme conflicts.
B) recognize the conflicts as they occur.
C) ever interact positively with your partner.
D) maintain a long-term relationship.

Question 36

Anna's boss harshly criticized her work on a new advertising campaign. Rather than engage in conflict with her boss, Anna replied, "I'm sorry you didn't like it." Anna chose to avoid the conflict thinking that it was probably

A) temporary.
B) unimportant.
C) too risky.
D) too personal.

Question 37

According to the _____________ style of conflict, there is a moderate degree of interest in one's own goals and equal interest in the relationship and goals of the other person.

A) avoiding
B) cooperation
C) compromising
D) accommodating

Question 38

Compared to dominators, compromisers are more likely to value

A) a win.
B) success.
C) conflict.
D) harmony.

Question 39

Casey values her own goals, but also appreciates her relationship and the goals of her partner. The type of conflict style Casey is most likely to use is

A) accommodating.
B) cooperating.
C) compromising.
D) dominating.

Question 40

The compromising style of conflict is advantageous to those involved in that

A) each party gains some satisfaction.
B) one member of the party gains satisfaction while the other loses.
C) neither party wins.
D) each person gets all of what they want.

Question 41

The ____________ keeps the compromise strategy from being the best overall conflict style.

A) required sacrifice
B) accommodation
C) equality
D) resentment

Question 42

Compromise is often the best conflict strategy when

A) there is more time and a decision isn't necessary.
B) the issue goes to the core of the relationship.
C) the issue repeatedly surfaces in the relationship.
D) there is little time and a decision must be reached.

Question 43

In the _____style, there is a strong interest in pursuing one's own goals and an equally strong interest in supporting the relationship and/or the goals of the other person.

A) accommodating
B) integrating
C) dominating
D) avoiding

Question 44

Integrating conflict style differs from compromising conflict style in that the integrating conflict style emphasizes

A) each person giving up something so both can benefit.
B) one person compromising on Issue A, while the other person compromises on Issue B.
C) that each person gets all of what he or she wants.
D) avoiding the problem until it goes away.

Question 45

Compared to the compromising conflict style, the integrating conflict style ___________ to resolve conflict.

A) takes the same amount of time
B) takes slightly less time
C) takes more time
D) takes significantly less time

Question 46

Compared to the other conflict styles, individuals who use the ___________ style of conflict are more likely to view conflict as positive.

A) accommodating
B) avoiding
C) compromising
D) integrating

Question 47

In order to be successful at the integrative conflict style, one has to have

A) the ability to compromise.
B) a high level of creativity.
C) a limited amount of experience with communication.
D) a limited amount of experience with conflict.

Question 48

The _________style is an approach to conflict that never has positive outcomes.

A) compromise
B) avoiding
C) accommodating
D) passive-aggressive

Question 49

When one individual upset with another pretends that everything is fine, and at the same time, punishes the other person in a secretive way, that individual is using the __________ conflict style.

A) compromise
B) passive-aggressive
C) accommodating
D) avoiding

Question 50

Susan is frustrated her roommate refuses to clean up after herself. Rather than confront her directly, she chooses instead to hide her roommate's keys. This is an example of ___________ behavior.

A) compromise
B) passive-aggressive
C) accommodating
D) avoiding

Question 51

According to the ____________ personality theory, our personality can be explained by a unique combination of extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience.

A) integrative
B) Freudian
C) associative
D) Big Five

Question 52

Nancy has a hard time interacting with others, and the interactions she has are usually negative. Based on this information, Nancy is probably high in

A) extraversion.
B) neuroticism.
C) agreeableness.
D) conscientiousness.

Question 53

Morgan is reliable, dependable, and always on hand when her friends need her. Rarely has she ever failed to follow through with a commitment. Morgan is high in

A) extraversion.
B) neuroticism.
C) agreeableness.
D) conscientiousness.

Question 54

Ian enjoys trying new things, whether it be new food, music, or activities. He is probably high in which aspect of the Big Five Personality Theory?

A) Extraversion
B) Neuroticism
C) Openness to experience
D) Conscientiousness

Question 55

Individuals who use integrative conflict style are

A) higher in agreeableness.
B) higher in extraversion.
C) higher in neuroticism.
D) lower in neuroticism.

Question 56

Individuals who use the avoiding conflict style report having personalities that are

A) higher in conscientiousness.
B) lower in extraversion.
C) higher in agreeableness.
D) lower in neuroticism.

Question 57

According to Ting-Toomey, Asian and Latino groups perceive ____________ and avoiding as positive choices because they reduce friction.

A) agreeing
B) assuming
C) dominating
D) accommodating

Question 58

Compared to European Americans, African Americans use the __________ conflict strategy more often.

A) agreeing
B) assuming
C) dominating
D) accommodating

Question 59

Compared to individualists, collectivists use the __________ conflict strategy less often.

A) agreeing
B) avoiding
C) dominating
D) accommodating

Question 60

Regardless of cultural orientation, ____________ is the most preferred conflict style.

A) integration
B) avoiding
C) dominating
D) accommodating

Question 61

During a conflict, one negative comment is often reciprocated with an even more negative comment. When this continues, it is known as a(n)

A) defensive spiral.
B) evaluation.
C) description.
D) extreme fighting.

Question 62

Jackie didn't do well on her first human relations exam and called her mom with her concerns. Her mom responded, "You should have studied more." Jackie responded defensively because her mother used ___________ language.

A) evaluative
B) descriptive
C) certainty
D) provisional

Question 63

Jackie didn't do well on her first human relations exam and called her mom with her concerns. Her mom responded, "It sounds like you are really upset." This response is typical of ___________ language.

A) evaluative
B) descriptive
C) certainty
D) provisional

Question 64

Often when others respond to our fears or our concerns, they imply that their opinion is the last word on the subject. This is known as a(n) _________ response.

A) evaluative
B) descriptive
C) certainty
D) provisional

Question 65

When we respond to friends supportively and in a way that signals open-mindedness and interest, we are using a(n) _________ response.

A) evaluative
B) descriptive
C) certainty
D) provisional

Question 66

Control orientation is to problem orientation as _________ is to

A) a message signals closed-mindedness; a message signals open-mindedness.
B) making decisions for other people; working with partners to share decision making.
C) evaluating another person; describing the behavior of another person.
D) conveys the speaker is smarter; conveys the listener is smarter.

Question 67

Individuals with hidden agendas are often perceived as communicating in a way that is meant to manipulate the other person. This defense-arousing behavior is called

A) evaluation.
B) strategy.
C) certainty.
D) provisionalism.

Question 68

The ___________ category for eliciting defensive responses is more difficult to recognize than other strategies because the strategy is often more apparent in the nonverbal element.

A) evaluation vs. description
B) strategy vs. spontaneity
C) certainty vs. provisionalism
D) neutrality vs. empathy

Question 69

The category of defense-arousing response that deals with listener interest is known as

A) evaluation vs. description.
B) control vs. problem orientation.
C) certainty vs. provisionalism.
D) neutrality vs. empathy.

Question 70

When a respondent seems disinterested in what we have to say, Gibb refers to the behavior as

A) empathy.
B) neutrality.
C) superiority.
D) description.

Question 71

The defense-arousing message that implies the speaker is smarter, knows more, or is somehow better than the listener is a(n) ________ message.

A) empathy
B) neutrality
C) superiority
D) description

Question 72

One of the hardest situations to deal with is when someone criticizes us for something we know is true. In this case, the best response is to ___________ the statement.

A) disagree with
B) agree with
C) understand the motivation of
D) ask for clarification of

Question 73

Suzanne was hurt when her mother unfairly criticized her efforts on a recent exam. Since Suzanne believes the criticism is inaccurate, her best response is to ___________ the statement.

A) disagree with
B) agree with
C) understand the motivation of
D) ask for clarification of

Question 74

One multipurpose, nondefensive response that is most effective in responding to others' criticisms involves

A) guessing about the specifics.
B) ignoring the remarks.
C) paraphrasing.
D) asking for clarification.

Question 75

Which method is not included in the integrative model for resolving conflict?

A) Identifying the problem
B) Setting a time and place to discuss the issue
C) Exchanging viewpoints
D) Avoiding brainstorming and using safe options for resolving conflicts

Question 76

Janet is paired with George on a work project. As they work together, Janet soon finds out that no matter what concerns she has about how the project is going, George will argue with her until he is satisfied that he won. Also, he takes credit for her ideas whenever they update the boss on their progress. By the end of the project, Janet is left feeling unmotivated because of George's __________________ style.

A) compromising
B) accommodating
C) dominating
D) avoiding

Question 77

When the boss needs to make a difficult decision quickly, the _______________ style is most useful.

A) dominating
B) avoiding
C) passive-aggressive
D) accommodating

Question 78

When a workplace issue is temporary and the benefit of engaging in conflict is minimal, it is best to use a(n) ______________ style.

A) dominating
B) compromising
C) integrating
D) avoiding

Question 79

The _______________ conflict style should be reserved for important and long-lasting workplace issues.

A) compromising
B) integrating
C) accommodating
D) avoiding

Question 80

Christina is mad at Anna, her close friend at work. When they are assigned to work together on a presentation, she treats Anna the same way she always has and doesn't let her know anything is wrong. But whenever Christina talks to their boss, she lies about Anna not pulling her weight and spending a lot of work time making personal phone calls. Which conflict style best describes Christina's behavior?

A) Integrating
B) Dominating
C) Passive-aggressive
D) Accommodating