When Douglas brings up the subject of debt, saying, "We need to discuss our plan for getting out of debt," his wife Cindy asks what he wants for dinner. When he tries to bring it up again, Cindy leaves the room. What type of conflict communication pattern are they exhibiting?

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Douglas is making a demand to discuss an important issue, while Cindy is withdrawing from the conversation and avoiding the topic by changing the subject and leaving the room. This is a classic example of the demand-withdrawal pattern, where one partner makes demands or brings up issues, and the other partner withdraws by avoiding the subject or leaving the conversation.

When Douglas Brings Up the Subject of Debt, Saying, "We