Principles of Interpersonal Conflict

Conflict is Inevitable

average 7 conflicts per week

Married couples average 3.5 per week

Conflict can center on a Variety of Issues

Six Major issues In Relationship

Intimacy issues

Power issues

Personal Flaw issues

Personal distance

Social Issue

Distrust issue

politics, parent

drinking, driving habits

Affection and sex

lack of equality in the relationship

frequent absence and heavy job commitment

previous lovers and lying

Workplace conflict issues

Personality difference

Ineffective leadership

Lack of openness

Physical and emotional stress

difference in values and resulting clashes

Occurs in all communication forms

online or in person

Conflict can be Positive or Negative

Negative aspects of Interpersonal Conflict

leads to negative regard for the other party

leads to closing your self off from the other person

can lead to deterioration end eventual dissolution

Positive aspects of Interpersonal conflict

Forces examination of the problem and work on solution

may emerge more confident

resolution can stop resentment

Conflicts Is influenced by culture and gender

Conflict and Culture

types of conflict depends on cultural orientation

Cultural norms of organization

culture is influences how conflict is resolved

Conflict and gender

Men are more apt to withdraw from conflict

Women want to get closer and talk about it

Conflict Styles have consequences

Competing : I win You lose

Appropriate for courtroom battles

can lead to future conflict

Avoiding: I lose You lose

relatively unconcerned with needs or desires

doesn't resolve any conflict

Accommodating: I Lose You Win

sacrifice your needs for the other person

Support harmony

Collaborating:I win You Win

address both needs and wants

willingness to cooperate with the other

Compromising:I win and lose You win and Lose

Meeting in the middle

Horse Trading