Question 1

Effective communicators realize that although it's impossible to __________conflict, there are ways to __________ it effectively.

Accepted Answer

Effective communicators understand that while it's not possible to completely eliminate conflict, it can be managed effectively through various strategies and communication skills.

Question 2

You resent doing most of the housework, but your spouse assumes you enjoy it because you never complain. Which element of conflict of is absent in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Expressed struggle is absent because the resentment is not communicated to the spouse; the spouse assumes enjoyment due to the lack of complaints.

Question 3

The silent treatment is an example of which characteristic of conflict?

Accepted Answer

The silent treatment is a form of expressed struggle where one party refuses to communicate, thereby expressing their dissatisfaction or disagreement with the other party. This behavior is a direct manifestation of conflict through non-verbal communication.

Question 4

You would like to avoid working with a colleague you find difficult but can't because you're in the same research unit. This reflects which characteristic of conflict?

Accepted Answer

Interdependence is highlighted in this scenario because you and your colleague must work together due to being in the same research unit, despite personal difficulties.

Question 5

When people fail to see mutually satisfying answers to their problems, they have __________.

Accepted Answer

When people fail to see mutually satisfying answers to their problems, it is often because they perceive their goals as incompatible, meaning they believe their objectives cannot be met simultaneously or in a manner that satisfies all parties involved.

Question 6

"So many friends, so little time" expresses the tension you experience when trying to juggle these various commitments. This reflects which element of conflict?

Accepted Answer

The phrase reflects the element of conflict related to "Perceived scarce resources," with time being the scarce resource that cannot sufficiently accommodate the desire to spend it with all friends.

Question 7

According to research, how many conflicts do we experience with friends?

Accepted Answer

According to research, we experience one or two conflicts with friends per day.

Question 8

__________ seem to be based on the assumption that people who love each other know each other's thoughts without a word being said.

Accepted Answer

Mind-reading expectations are based on the belief that close partners should be able to understand each other's thoughts and feelings without explicit communication.

Question 9

What has research about conflict established?

Accepted Answer

Happy couples are more likely to admit their mistakes, which contributes to healthier communication and conflict resolution in relationships.

Question 10

Your arguments with your spouse revolve around justifying your own positions rather than solving problems or understanding the other's perspective. Like many unhappy couples, you have little or no __________ for each other.

Accepted Answer

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, which is lacking in the scenario described where the focus is on justifying personal positions rather than understanding each other's perspective.

Question 11

In terms of conflict styles, ghosting can be an act of passive aggression or an act of __________.

Accepted Answer

Ghosting, or the act of suddenly withdrawing from communication without explanation, is often considered an act of avoidance. It is a way to evade confronting the issue or the person directly.

Question 12

You tell your roommate, "I want to talk about how your friends come over all the time, make a lot of noise, eat our food, and leave a mess." He responds by crossing the hall to visit one of these friends who also lives in your apartment building. Your roommate is exhibiting which conflict style in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Your roommate is exhibiting the avoidance conflict style by choosing to leave the situation rather than addressing the issue you brought up. This behavior is characterized by avoiding the conflict altogether, in this case, by physically leaving to visit a friend instead of engaging in a conversation about the problem.

Question 13

"Taking one for the team" or "losing the battle to win the war" are adages that reflect which approach to conflict?

Accepted Answer

These adages reflect the Accommodation approach to conflict, where one party may give in or sacrifice their own needs or desires for the sake of the team or the larger objective.

Question 14

When your manager asks if you will work overtime on the weekend, you reply: "You should ask David instead. He's never busy on the weekend, and I have young children at home to care for." Your response reflects which conflict style?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When your manager asks if you will...

Question 15

Crazymaking is associated with which conflict style?

Accepted Answer

Crazymaking is associated with passive aggression. It involves indirect resistance to the demands of others and an avoidance of direct confrontation, typical of the passive-aggressive conflict style.

Question 16

Teasing and threats are both types of ____________.

Accepted Answer

Teasing and threats are forms of direct aggression because they involve overt actions or words intended to harm or intimidate another person.

Question 17

After calling your coworker a slacker, you then dismiss this deliberate criticism by saying, "Just kidding." You are using what kind of conflict style in this instance?

Accepted Answer

Passive aggression involves expressing negative feelings indirectly rather than openly addressing them. By calling a coworker a slacker and then dismissing it with "Just kidding," you're indirectly expressing disapproval or criticism, which is characteristic of passive-aggressive behavior.

Question 18

Which approach enjoys a positive reputation that it may not deserve?

Accepted Answer

Compromise is often seen positively as a fair solution, but it may not always be the best approach as it can lead to neither party being fully satisfied.

Question 19

As the team leader for a challenging sales pitch at your company, you realize that a relatively minor and straightforward decision regarding the project needs to be made in an hour. Which conflict style would be LEAST advisable for you to pursue in this instance?

Accepted Answer

Collaboration is least advisable for a minor and straightforward decision as it is time-consuming and involves seeking a win-win solution, which is unnecessary for simple decisions.

Question 20

You want steak for dinner, but your romantic partner wants seafood. You say, "OK. Let's go to Outback, where they serve both." You are demonstrating which conflict style?

Accepted Answer

Collaboration involves finding a solution that satisfies both parties, and suggesting a restaurant that serves both steak and seafood is an example of this style.

Quiz 12: Managing Conflict

Effective communicators realize that although it's impossible to conflict, there are ways to it effectively.