Deck 2: Perspectives on Conflict

Question 1

According to the text, the most useful metaphors for helping us manage conflicts are those of a "trial."

Answer 1

False

Question 2

"Collaborative" families typically use the "silent treatment" to effectively manage conflict.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The most common metaphors for conflict in U.S. culture are "win-lose" in nature.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

An example of a "neutral" conflict metaphor is a "balancing act."

Question 5

All of the following beliefs are commonly-held viewpoints about conflict EXCEPT:

A) Harmony is normal and conflict is abnormal.
B) Disagreements are the same thing as conflicts.
C) Personality clashes are the cause of conflicts.
D) Conflict should never be escalated.
E) A good conflict is a nice conflict.

Question 6

Since gender studies have found that women tend to compromise more than men in conflict situations, the book suggests that women try to utilize which communication behavior most often?

A) domination
B) competition
C) avoidance
D) even more compromise
E) a wide range of communication behaviors

Question 7

The following statement by Justin about a conflict with his sister Shannon is an example of which of the conflict metaphors below? "The next time she says something about my lifestyle I'm likely to explode like a volcano."

A) conflict is a trial
B) conflict is an act of nature
C) conflict is a balancing act
D) conflict is warlike and violent
E) conflict is like a dance

Question 8

Many times, women remain in more of a "listening" role during conflict than men.

Question 9

Which of the following statements BEST describe an aggressive family?

A) Snide comments are fine.
B) If someone has a concern, don't respond to it.
C) Strong feelings are seen as normal and are allowed.
D) Have an audience present when you engage someone.
E) Deal with people directly.

Question 10

Which of the communication cultures below is generally characterized by norms that favor competition, low or non-expressiveness, and communication used for concrete purposes?

A) feminine communication culture
B) Asian communication culture
C) masculine communication culture
D) Native American culture
E) both a and c

Question 11

Refusing to back down in an argument, even if you know you are wrong, may be an indicator of trying to "save face."

Question 12

The text says anger is the predominant emotion in all conflicts.

Question 13

A potential "benefit" to addressing conflict is the ability for persons in a relationship to better understand each other.

Question 14

According to Hocker and Wilmot, the most common metaphor used to describe conflict is

A) conflict is a war.
B) conflict is a dance.
C) conflict is a mess.
D) conflict is a balancing act.
E) conflict is explosive.

Question 15

According to Hocker and Wilmot, which type of family is characterized by walking away from conflicts, never raising your voices, not telling anyone if there is a struggle, and keeping strong feelings to yourself?

A) collaborative family
B) permissive family
C) aggressive family
D) avoidant family
E) passive family

Question 16

According to the text, all of the following are neutral metaphors about conflict except:

A) Conflict is a game
B) Conflict is a heroic adventure
C) Conflict is a balancing act
D) Conflict is a mess
E) All of these are neutral metaphors about conflict.

Question 17

Metaphors that expand the potential in conflict are useful because they portray

A) a neutral approach to conflict.
B) a collaborative approach to conflict.
C) a realistic view of the danger in conflict.
D) a succinct view of the situation.
E) a competitive approach to conflict.

Question 18

Which of the following terms reflects the notion that individuals learn male and female communication behaviors through observation of and communication with same-sex groups?

A) social learning theory
B) the Lens Model of conflict
C) attribution theory
D) collectivist theory
E) transformative theory

Question 19

In "individualistic" cultures, people are more likely to resolve conflict through competition and collaboration.

Question 20

Research on conflict and gender reveals that men criticize more than women.

Question 21

Discuss the advantages of using metaphors for diagnosing conflicts, specifying (1) how they give you a view of conflict dynamics and (2) how they can be used to generate unique strategies you might make in a conflict.

Question 22

Describe and draw the Lens Model of Conflict discussed in Chapter 2. How do the filters of "gender" and "culture" influence our "lenses?"

Question 23

Why is it potentially problematic to encourage all individuals to strive for clear, direct, assertive communication? Discuss the role of power in your answer.

Question 24

Generate a list of at least six different conflict metaphors. Of your list, which metaphors limit the possibility for productive conflict management and which expand that conflict potential? What accounts for the difference?

Question 25

Differentiate between high and low context cultures. Include specific examples of each. How does each type influence the conflict in that culture?

Question 26

Which of the following is generally about research regarding gender differences in conflict?

A) Adolescent girls tend to be more aggressive than adolescent boys.
B) Men and women generally handle conflict in similar ways.
C) Women tend to take more control of conversations than men to lead it in the direction they want.
D) Women are more likely to avoid a conflict than men.
E) Men tend to engage in the "listening" role more than women.

Question 27

List and describe the three types of families Hocker and Wilmot discuss in the chapter. Which type most accurately describes your background? Explain why you think this. Finally, discuss how this type of family has influenced how you manage conflict now.

Question 28

What role do attributions play in the lens model of conflict? How do our attributions for ourselves and others differ? In your answer, be sure to define attributions and provide at least two specific examples.

Question 29

Which of the following metaphors would your authors consider "transformative?"

A) Conflict is a balancing act
B) Conflict is a trial
C) Conflict is war
D) Conflict is a dance
E) Conflict is a struggle