Deck 12: Managing Interpersonal Conflicts

Question 1

In high-context, collectivist countries, avoidance and accommodation are considered positive, appropriate ways to handle conflict.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

An avoiding conflict style reflects the belief that there is no good way to resolve the conflict at hand.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

A constructive conflict style is rarely used, due in part to people not being aware that it is a viable alternative to a competitive approach.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

A full-fledged conflict will not occur unless the individuals involved try to prevent one another from achieving their goals.

Question 5

Compromise is considered a win-win conflict style because each person gets at least some of what they want.

Question 6

Destructive fights often start because the initiator confronts a partner who isn't ready for a confrontation.

Question 7

Direct aggression is described as physical attacks and swearing, but does not include teasing or nonverbal gestures.

Question 8

Interdependence must exist between two parties in order for a conflict to exist.

Question 9

College students who kept diaries of their relationships reported that they took part in about 10 arguments per week.

Question 10

Research has shown that strong marriages manage conflict in constructive ways.

Question 11

What conflict style to choose should be determined by the style you are most comfortable using.

Question 12

A conflict can exist even if the parties in conflict are not dependent on each other.

Question 13

In a symmetrical conflict style, the partners use different but mutually reinforcing behaviors.

Question 14

The win-win approach to conflict resolution requires parties to reach a solution through compromise.

Question 15

A win-win, collaborative approach might be beneficial, but it isn't very realistic to use due to its detail and complicated structure.

Question 16

Probably the most important cultural factor in shaping attitudes toward conflict is an orientation toward individualism or collectivism.

Question 17

The situation at hand and the behavior of the other person in the conflict are more powerful determinants of a person's conflict style than gender.

Question 18

Avoidance is never an effective conflict style to choose.

Question 19

Some scholars assert that conflict style is often determined simply by a person's biological makeup.

Question 20

When people express hostility in obscure ways, "passive aggression" occurs.

Question 21

Complementary and symmetrical conflict styles have been shown to produce​

A)​marriages that got back together after conflict.
B)​couples who find other mates while getting divorced.
C)​a greater percentage of divorces that are settled amicably.
D)​both "good" results as well as "bad" ones.
E)​divorces that only have the facade of politeness.

Question 22

You and your partner's pattern of managing disagreements that repeats itself over time is called your​

A)​relational conflict style.
B)​cognitive dissonance pattern.
C)​harmony/disharmony pattern.
D)​"Vesuvius."
E)​assertive message format.

Question 23

In the "In Real Life" in Chapter Twelve, Chris tries to resolve a conflict with her roommate Terry over cleaning their apartment by​

A)​relying on authority as a source of power.
B)​using the "Vesuvius" method to get Terry's attention.
C)​appealing to their mutual self-interests.
D)​employing "crazymaking" strategies.
E)​None of these answers are correct

Question 24

Conflict rituals

A)​are always damaging.
B)​should be replaced with compromise.
C)​most often involve avoidance by both of the participants in the conflict.
D)​become problems when they are seen as the only way to resolve problems.
E)​are defined as ways partners use guilt and intimidation to fight dirty.

Question 25

Lack of time for yourself and others is a common source of conflict in relationships.

Question 26

The "ownership" of a problem almost always belongs to

A)​the person who is dissatisfied.
B)​the person to whom the complaint is directed.
C)​the person with the lowest amount of self-disclosure.
D)​the person with the greatest amount of passive aggressive behavior.
E)​the most assertive person.

Question 27

At which step in the win-win, collaborative process would brainstorming be appropriate?​

A)​Identify your problem and unmet needs.
B)​Negotiate a solution.
C)​Make a date.
D)​Describe your problem and needs.
E)​Consider your partner's point of view.

Question 28

When people deliver subtle aggressive messages involving feelings of resentment, anger, or rage that they aren't able or willing to express directly, they are engaging in what psychologist George Bach calls ​

A)​defense arousal.
B)​nonverbal conflict.
C)​pseudo-messages.
D)​crazymaking.
E)​one-up conflict resolution.

Question 29

Stonewalling sends a(n) __________ message to the other person.

A)​assertive message
B)​confirming
C)​disagreeing
D)​disconfirming
E)​competing

Question 30

One of the best methods to use to describe your problem and needs to a partner during conflict resolution is

A)​paraphrasing.
B)​perception checking.
C)​the assertive message format.
D)​high-level abstractions.
E)​emotional description.

Question 31

Although avoidance of conflict is tempting, your partner is likely to experience more frustration and discomfort than he/she would if you were to face your conflicts in a constructive way.

Question 32

An uncontrolled, spontaneous "explosion," a "Vesuvius," is​

A)​encouraged by your text as a first step to solving conflict.
B)​therapeutic when you feel it's impossible to be relational and your partner understands what you're doing.
C)​a great way of eliminating defensive behaviors by "clearing the air."
D)​one way to make sure your partner will listen to you.
E)​All of these answers are correct.

Question 33

In order to decide which conflict style you should use, you should consider

A)​the situation.
B)​the other person.
C)​your goals.
D)​the relationship.
E)​All of these answers are correct.

Question 34

You and your partner's pattern of managing disagreements that repeats itself over time is called your

A)​relational conflict style.
B)​cognitive dissonance pattern.
C)​cognitive dissonance pattern.
D)​"Vesuvius."
E)​assertive message format.

Question 35

Conflict rituals are​

A)​inherently wrong.
B)​the best way to solve the variety of conflicts that are part of any relationship.
C)​almost always positive.
D)​unacknowledged but repeating patterns of dealing with conflict.
E)​All of these answers are correct.

Question 36

At which step in the win-win, collaborative process would you utilize the assertive message format?​

A)​Identify your problem and unmet needs.
B)​Negotiate a solution.
C)​Make a date.
D)​Describe your problem and needs.
E)​Consider your partner's point of view.

Question 37

Which of the following strategies is not recommend as a way to manage workplace bullying?​

A)​Reframe your thinking.
B)​Negotiate with the offender.
C)​Appeal to a third party.
D)​Back off.
E)​All of the above are recommended strategies.

Question 38

In a survey of conflict views of college men and women, women were described as being​

A)​more concerned with maintaining the relationship during a conflict.
B)​more concerned with power in the conflict.
C)​more interested in the content of the conflict.
D)​more ego-involved in the conflict than men.
E)​All of these answers are correct.

Question 39

Rhonda complains to Collin that she's tired of their weekend routine.Irritated, Collin snaps back that he's tired of her complaining.Their conflict pattern reflects which of the following conflict styles?

A)​complementary
B)​symmetrical
C)​tangential
D)​conditional
E)​None of these answers are correct

Question 40

Studies of different cultures and conflict reveal that

A)​assertiveness is valued worldwide.
B)​North Americans avoid confrontation more than other cultures studied.
C)​individualistic cultures are less assertive than collective ones.
D)​the assertiveness appropriate in North America could be perceived as rude and insensitive in collectivist cultures.
E)​All of these answers are correct are true.

Question 41

Conflict rituals

A)​are always damaging.
B)​should be replaced with compromise.
C)​most often involve avoidance by both of the participants in the conflict.
D)​become problems when they are seen as the only way to resolve problems.
E)​are defined as ways partners use guilt and intimidation to fight dirty.

Question 42

Instead of expressing her feelings honestly, this person explains what her partner "really" means or what's "really wrong."​

A)​mind reader
B)​crisis tickler
C)​guilt maker
D)​pseudoaccommodator
E)​avoider

Question 43

In order to decide which conflict style you should use, you should consider

A)​the situation.
B)​the other person.
C)​your goals.
D)​the relationship.
E)​All of these answers are correct.

Question 44

This person handles conflict by trying to make her partner feel responsible for causing her discomfort.

A)​mind reader
B)​crisis tickler
C)​guilt maker
D)​pseudoaccommodator
E)​avoider

Question 45

In a short essay, defend or refute the following statement: "Conflict is a destructive behavior."​

Question 46

This person pretends to give in and then continues to act in the same way.

A)​mind reader
B)​crisis tickler
C)​guilt maker
D)​pseudoaccommodator
E)​avoider

Question 47

The distinguishing characteristic in win-lose problem solving is

A)​passivity.
B)​power.
C)​aggression.
D)​discussion.
E)​assertiveness.

Question 48

In the "Looking At Diversity" reading, James Comeyrecommends which of the following strategies when working with people from a different cultural background?

A)​Face conflict head on, and get to the bottom of any conflicts right away.
B)​Slow down and adopt an attitude of curiosity.
C)​Show genuine interest in the other person.
D)​both b and c
E)​none of the above

Question 49

Rhonda complains to Collin that she's tired of their weekend routine.Irritated, Collin snaps back that he's tired of her complaining.Their conflict pattern reflects which of the following conflict styles?​

A)​complementary
B)​symmetrical
C)​tangential
D)​conditional
E)​None of these answers are correct

Question 50

All of the following are true about conflict, except​

A)​conflict is natural.
B)​every relationship of any depth at all has conflict.
C)​conflict can be beneficial.
D)​people typically have similar conflict styles.

Question 51

When this person's partner brings up a problem, she pretends to be busy with the laundry.

A)​mind reader
B)​crisis tickler
C)​guilt maker
D)​pseudoaccommodator
E)​avoider

Question 52

This person almost brings what's bothering him to the surface, but never quite comes out and expresses himself.

A)​mind reader
B)​crisis tickler
C)​guilt maker
D)​pseudoaccommodator
E)​avoider

Question 53

Your text states that compromise hardly deserves the positive image it seems to carry.Describe a time when you compromised to settle a conflict.Did your experience present a more negative or more positive outcome? What is your view of compromise as a conflict resolution outcome?​

Question 54

When unhappy couples argue, they​

A)​use evaluative "you" language.
B)​ignore each other's nonverbal relational messages.
C)​have minimal empathy for the other.
D)​are not problem-oriented.
E)​All of these answers are correct.

Question 55

Win-win problem solving is seldom used because

A)​there is a lack of awareness of it.
B)​emotional reflexes prevent constructive solutions.
C)​it requires both persons' cooperation.
D)​win-win problem solving is actually the most used problem-solving style of all.
E)​a, b, and c are correct.

Question 56

Audra and Alfonso argue and Alfonso storms out of the house.Audra calls Alfonso asking for forgiveness.He returns and they reconcile.Soon they fight again with Alfonso once again leaving.This is an example of a(n)​

A)​complementary style.
B)​symmetrical style.
C)​conflict ritual.
D)​avoiding style.
E)​win-lose.

Question 57

Alicia wanted to see a movie with her friends Friday night, but ended up at a bar since that's where most of the girls wanted to go.Alicia used what conflict style in this situation?

A)​avoiding
B)​collaborating
C)​compromising
D)​competing
E)​accommodating

Question 58

The conflict style where one has a low concern for him/herself and a high concern for others is called​

A)​avoiding.
B)​collaborating.
C)​compromising.
D)​competing
E)​accommodating.

Question 59

Avoiding is sometimes an appropriate style to choose when

A)​the issue is temporary or minor.
B)​speaking up might cause physical harm.
C)​the relationship isn't worth the effort.
D)​a and b are correct.
E)​All of these answers are correct.

Question 60

Of the following statements, which most accurately describes the part gender plays in conflict style?​

A)​Gender is less important in determining conflict style than the behavior of the other person in the conflict.
B)​Research indicates that the stereotype of women as passive is nearly 90% accurate.
C)​There are virtually no discernible differences between the conflict styles of men and women.
D)​When actual behaviors are observed, women are more likely to withdraw from discussion issues than men are.

Question 61

Examine the differences between men and women in how they approach conflict.Include research findings as well as your own personal experiences in your discussion.

Question 62

"In order for there to be winners, there have to be losers." Discuss this statement by examining an interpersonal conflict in which you have been involved.

Question 63

Define the term conflict as described in your text.Explain in detail each element of the definition.