Chapter 1 Flashcards
Hocker and Wilmot focus in this text on interpersonal communication characterized primarily by what six descriptors?
- face-to-face most of the time yet also in other forms
- with people you know or who are important to you
- complicated and difficult
- shaped by the context in which the conflict takes place-romantic, family, work, or friends
- oriented toward constructing and sharing meaning
- goal directed
How does conflict between parents affect children?
- changes the mood of household interactions and shift the parents’ attention to the rect negative impact of children
- conflict between parents predicts well-being of children, with more conflict associated with maladaptive behavior on the part of the children.
- the ongoing conflict at home has a greater impact on adolescent distress and symptoms than parental divorce.
How do W&H define conflict? Briefly explain the elements of their definition
“an expressed struggle between at least two interdependent parties who perceive incompatible goals, scarce resources, and interference from others in achieving their goals.”
- expressed struggle: either intrapersonal or interpersonal, conflict is present when there are joint communicative representations of it. Perceptions are then made
- interdependence: conflict parties engage in an expressed struggle and interfere with one another because they are interdependent on each other. Each person’s choices affect the other because conflict is a mutual activity
- Perceived Incompatible goals: people often engage in conflict over goals that are important to them. Goals are perceived as incompatible because parties either want the same things or different things
- Perceived scarce resources: a resource is any positively perceived physical, economic, or social consequence. example of affection, might not feel like you’re getting enough, causes conflict
- Interference: if the presence of another person interferes with desired action, conflict escalates.
What are the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” to which Gottman refers regarding conflict management?
- criticizing
- defensiveness
- stonewalling
- contempt
What are the four key parts of a “constructive complaint?”
- Use an “I” statement
- describe the undesirable behavior
- Use neutral, not judgmental, language
- ask for a specific, behavioral change/
What are the 6 elements of a “defensive conflict climate?”
-Evaluation rather than description
-Control rather than problem solving
-Strategy rather than spontaneity
-Neutrality rather than empathy
-Superiority rather than equality
-Certainty rather than provisionalism
(descriptions on 25)
Briefly explain how an “escalatory spiral” develops.
the relationship continues to circle around to more and more damaging ends; the interaction becomes self-perpetuating. it’s characteristics are misunderstanding, discord, and destruction
