Question 1

A perceived cause of conflict is known as __________.

Accepted Answer

A perceived cause of conflict is known as a conflict trigger.

Question 2

Talia is angry with Clara for not showing up to her baby shower,and tells her "You are a lousy and unsupportive friend!" Which type of conflict are Talia and Clara experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Talia and Clara are experiencing an ego conflict because Talia has attacked Clara's personal character by calling her "lousy and unsupportive."

Question 3

Everett and Chloe's relationship is considered to be __________,because Everett's behavior impacts Chloe,and likewise,Chloe's behavior impacts Everett.

Accepted Answer

An interdependent relationship is one in which the behavior and choices of both individuals have an impact on one another. In this scenario, Everett and Chloe's relationship fits this definition as their behaviors and choices impact one another.

Question 4

Which statement is true of conflict?

Accepted Answer

Conflict is a natural part of human relationships and can be healthy if approached in a constructive way. It allows for the expression of differing opinions and can lead to necessary growth and change in relationships.

Question 5

Which misconception about conflict is reflected in the belief that listening and careful paraphrasing skills can solve any kind of problem?

Accepted Answer

Conflict is not always caused by misunderstandings, and listening and careful paraphrasing skills cannot always solve all types of conflicts.

Question 6

Yaakov sees Sven and says,"Hey,Sven.Where were you? I thought we were going to meet at McDonald's for lunch." Sven responds,"Hey,man.I was there.Where were you?" Yaakov says,"I was there at noon,like we agreed,and waited 30 minutes for you to show up." Sven says,"I was there at noon and didn't see you.Hey,wait a minute.Which McDonald's did you go to? I was at the one on campus." Yaakov says,"Well that explains it.I was at the one on the main highway." What kind of conflict does this situation reflect?

Accepted Answer

This situation reflects a pseudoconflict, which is a perceived conflict based on a misunderstanding or miscommunication. The conflict was resolved once the two individuals realized they were at different locations.

Question 7

What is an effective strategy you can use to prevent a simple conflict from escalating to an ego conflict?

Accepted Answer

Keeping the discussion focused on the facts prevents personal opinions and emotions from becoming involved, which can lead to ego conflicts. It allows both parties to stay objective and find a solution that works for everyone.

Question 8

During which stage of conflict does frustration awareness occur?

Accepted Answer

Frustration awareness occurs at the beginning stage of conflict when one or more parties become aware of a perceived or experienced frustration. This feeling of frustration may be caused by a disagreement or difference in opinion, unmet needs, or unfulfilled expectations.

Question 9

What kind of conflict generally occurs when participants lack flexibility,approaching the issue from a win-lose perspective?

Accepted Answer

When participants approach an issue from a win-lose perspective and lack flexibility, it typically leads to destructive conflict. This type of conflict is characterized by a high level of hostility, communication breakdowns, and negative outcomes for all parties involved. It can be difficult to reach a resolution when both sides are focused solely on winning, and compromise is seen as a sign of weakness.

Question 10

Tomas and Raquel moved in together last month.Although they both agreed to keep the apartment clean,Tomas has been leaving his dirty dishes in the sink.After noticing that the same dishes had been sitting there for a full week,Raquel became so fed up that she yelled "Tomas! Will you stop being such a slob?" In which stage of the conflict process is this couple?

Accepted Answer

The couple is in the active conflict stage, as Raquel has expressed her frustration with Tomas' behavior.

Question 11

The fact that people have incompatible goals contradicts which myth about conflict?

Accepted Answer

The myth that conflict always occurs because of misunderstandings is contradicted by the fact that people can have incompatible goals, which can lead to conflict even when there is a clear understanding between parties.

Question 12

Julia has invited Abhinav to join her at a baseball game this weekend.Although Abhinav would like to go,he has had a difficult week at work and wants to relax at home.Abhinav feels torn in two directions and wishes he could go to the game and relax at home at the same time.Which source of conflict is Abhinav experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Abhinav is experiencing dialectical tension, which is the conflict that arises when a person is torn between two equally desirable but incompatible options or needs. In this situation, Abhinav would like to go to the game and also relax at home, but he cannot do both at the same time.

Question 13

Hadley and Weston are planning their son's first birthday party and are inviting both extended families to celebrate.Just as expected,Hadley's mom declines her invitation because she dislikes some of Weston's relatives and refuses to see them.Hadley and Weston are upset and frustrated that her mother won't be there,but they do not wish to change their party plans.Which misconception about conflict do Hadley and Weston need to overcome?

Accepted Answer

Hadley and Weston need to overcome the misconception that conflict can always be resolved. In this scenario, despite their efforts and desires, the conflict regarding Hadley's mom's attendance at the party due to her dislike of some of Weston's relatives cannot be resolved to everyone's satisfaction.

Question 14

Aria just got engaged,but she is a little concerned that her fiancée's family always seems to have loud arguments about politics when they get together.In reality,they all enjoy these heated conversations,and no one gets offended.Which misconception about conflict is Aria experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Aria is experiencing the misconception that conflict is always a sign of a poor interpersonal relationship. In reality, her fiancée's family enjoys their political debates, indicating that conflict can exist in healthy relationships where it is managed or appreciated positively.

Question 15

Sam Keltner's "struggle spectrum" shows that conflicts can range from __________.

Accepted Answer

Sam Keltner's "struggle spectrum" shows that conflicts can range from mild disagreements to fights. Option A is not specific enough and option B and D are not mentioned in the article.

Question 16

Kasur is quick to help his friend whenever he is in need,but his friend rarely returns the favor.As a result,Kasur is thinking about ending the friendship,because it drains a lot of his energy and no longer brings him as much joy.From Kasur's perspective,what seems to be the trigger of this conflict?

Accepted Answer

Kasur feels that the costs of the friendship, such as the energy he puts in, outweigh the rewards he receives. This is causing a conflict and causing him to consider ending the friendship.

Question 17

Morgan and Lauren are arguing about how to discipline their son who was just suspended from school.Although tensions are high,they both agree on the importance of correcting their son's behavior,and promise to work together to find a solution.Which type of conflict is demonstrated here?

Accepted Answer

The conflict in this scenario is constructive because even though there is disagreement and tension, both parties agree on the ultimate goal and are willing to work together to find a solution. The focus is on finding a resolution and correcting the behavior, rather than on personal or emotional issues.

Question 18

In response to his parents denying his request to buy him a car,Silas said "I have worked so hard to get good grades this past semester.I deserve this!" What seems to be the trigger of this conflict from Silas's perspective?

Accepted Answer

Silas's statement "I deserve this!" suggests that he feels entitled to a car because of his hard work in school. This entitlement is the trigger for the conflict, as his parents have a different perspective and don't believe that his grades warrant buying him a car.

Question 19

In what stage of the conflict process does self-talk about differences and growing dissatisfaction about the problem start to occur?

Accepted Answer

Self-talk about differences and growing dissatisfaction about the problem occurs in the frustration awareness stage of the conflict process, where one or both parties become aware of the problem and their differences in opinions or goals.

Question 20

Darius wants to sit in his easy chair and listen to his music,loudly.Laverne,his roommate,needs some quiet time to study for a major exam the next day.If Darius listens to his music,Laverne won't be able to study.What kind of conflict does this situation reflect?

Accepted Answer

This situation reflects a simple conflict, which arises from a clear and direct clash of needs or interests between two parties, in this case, Darius's desire to listen to music loudly and Laverne's need for quiet to study.

Quiz 8: Conflict Management Skills