Deck 13: Interpersonal Conflict

Question 1

What does it mean to conceptualize conflict as pervasive?

A) Conflict doesn't have to be about something specific or tied to a specific situation; instead all interaction between people is potentially conflictual.
B) Conflict involves feeling dissatisfied or hostile toward another person, and these experiences are common in interpersonal relationships.
C) Conflict involves expressions of disagreement and disconfirmation that occur commonly within some relationships.
D) Conflict involves setting goals, forming plans, and communicating strategically, just as anything other communication event does.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

What form of conflict involves a period of negative feelings or resentment toward another person?

A) pervasive tension
B) disagreeable communication
C) hostile episode
D) argument

Answer 2

C

Question 3

David and Alexis are brother and sister. Their interactions are constantly marked by sniping, yelling, insulting, and contradicting one another, but their fights are never really about anything in particular. What form of conflict do these siblings have?

A) pervasive tension
B) disagreeable communication
C) hostile episode
D) argument

Answer 3

B

Question 4

André is irritated by Luke's habit of coming to work late and then taking his tables. What level of conflict is reflected in this situation?

A) problematic behavior
B) relationship roles
C) undesirable traits
D) all of the above

Question 5

Margene and Bill are having an argument about their financial situation and Bill keeps raising his voice. Margene tells him that she really wishes he would not yell during their conflicts. Which of the following represents Margene's conflict goal?

A) instrumental goal
B) identity goal
C) process goal
D) relational goal

Question 6

Javier has an appointment to see his doctor to request a medication for his chronic condition that the doctor had previously declined. During this conversation, Javier's primary goal is to demonstrate his own intelligence, expertise, and ability to make treatment decisions and to come across as a confident and knowledgeable patient. Which of the following represents Javier's conflict goal?

A) instrumental goal
B) identity goal
C) process goal
D) relational goal

Question 7

Which conflict strategy includes criticism, expressing anger, justifying one's own position, and denying the other person's claims in an effort to destroy the other person's position and win the argument?

A) avoidant conflict strategy
B) integrative conflict strategy
C) distributive conflict strategy
D) hostile conflict strategy

Question 8

Which conflict strategy involves limiting communication with a conflict partner about a problematic situation?

A) avoidant conflict strategy
B) integrative conflict strategy
C) distributive conflict strategy
D) hostile conflict strategy

Question 9

What is the defining assumption of "win-win" or integrative conflict?

A) There are usually ways to resolve differences so that everyone wins.
B) The most important outcome is winning the conflict.
C) One person in conflict wins at the expense of the other.
D) Conflict results in losses for everyone and it is unhealthy for relationships.

Question 10

Which conflict style is characterized by a focus on others and a nonconfrontation orientation?

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

Question 11

Which conflict style involves finding a middle ground so that both parties get some of what they want?

A) integrating
B) obliging
C) competing
D) compromising

Question 12

Janet can't stand to have other people mad at her. Whenever she finds herself in a disagreement with someone, she gives in almost immediately because accommodating the other person's needs and desires is her primary goal during conflict. What is Janet's conflict style?

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

Question 13

Which pair of conflict styles shares a common focus on protecting self-interests?

A) dominating & integrating
B) integrating & obliging
C) avoiding & dominating
D) obliging & avoiding

Question 14

Conflict avoidance is not typically an effective way of resolving the cause of a conflict, but it can reduce arguing and avoid damage to a relationship in some circumstances. All of the following reflect circumstances when conflict avoidance can be effective EXCEPT:

A) you have substantial tolerance for the circumstances that annoy you
B) you are using other coping strategies to balance negative feelings
C) you are only avoiding major problems and not minor ones
D) you are engaging in perspective taking

Question 15

What are the implications of a distributive conflict style for promoting one's self-identity goals during conflict?

A) You appear reasonable and cooperative.
B) You can appear uncommitted to important issues, but you might seem easy going.
C) You can seem strong and confident, but also mean or unreasonable.
D) You can stick to your beliefs but violate standards for fairness.

Question 16

Riley has grown bored with her romantic relationship and has started to realize that she has other options available to her if she wants to break up with her partner, who has been extremely clingy and needy as of late. Given that Riley is relatively uncommitted to her relationship, whereas her partner is very attached, what kind of power does Riley have in this relationship?

A) interpersonal power
B) dependence power
C) punitive power
D) Riley has no power in her relationship.

Question 17

Which conflict pattern occurs when one person's recommended outcome prompts the other person to recommend a different outcome?

A) demand/withdraw
B) complaint/counter-complaint
C) attack/counter-attack
D) proposal/counter-proposal

Question 18

Which type of forgiveness specifies that acceptance of the situation is contingent on certain requirements?

A) forgiveness through minimization
B) conditional forgiveness
C) explicit forgiveness
D) forgiveness through discussion