Page 177 - Essentials of Human Communication

8

Managing

Interpersonal Conflict

Objectives Listen to the Audio Chapter Messages in the Media
at MyCommunicationLab
Most sporting events are, in essence, conflict
After reading this chapter, you should be able to:
episodes—zero sum games in which one
➊ Define interpersonal conflict and the major conflict issues, and explain team or one player must win and one must
the myths about interpersonal conflict.
lose. Interpersonal conflict, in contrast, is not
➋ Explain the three principles of conflict and give examples of how a zero sum game—both individuals can win,
conflict can be negative or positive, how it is influenced by culture and both can lose, or one can win and one can
gender, and what the consequences of your chosen conflict style are. lose. The task of achieving a situation in
➌ Describe and distinguish between the conflict management strategies which both can win is the subject of this
of avoiding and fighting actively, force and talk, defensiveness and chapter.
supportiveness, face-attacking and face-enhancing, silences and
facilitating open expression, gunnysacking and present focus, and
verbal aggressiveness and argumentativeness; and explain how to use
these strategies constructively in your own interpersonal conflicts.

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