Chapter 3

Question 1

List, and briefly explain the four TRIP goals

Answer 1

• Topic: what does each person want?
• Relationship: who are we to each other? define how each party wants to be treated by the other and the amount of interdependence they desire
• Identity/facework: who am I in this interaction?
• Process: what communication process will be used?

Question 2

How do W&H explain the overlapping nature of TRIP goals?

Answer 2

• not all types of goals emerge in all disputes
• interests and goals overlap with one another and differ in primacy
• identity and relational issues are the “drivers” of disputes; they underlie topic and process issues
• in a serious dispute, topic-only solutions are rarely satisfying to conflict parties
• conflict parties often specialize in one kind of goal
• goals may emerge in a different form
  (p. 86)

Question 3

What functions do retrospective goals serve in dealing with a conflict after it has occurred?

Answer 3

• people spend a large part of their time and energy justifying decisions they made in the past
• these goals give us clarity since we do not know the implications of a conflict until we look back on it
• may also serve a face saving function
  (p. 97)

Question 4

W&H suggest 4 ways to improve conflict goals. What are these?

Answer 4

???
-solutions go unrecognized if you do not know what you want
-only clear goals can be shared
-clear goals can be altered more easily than vague goals
-clear goals are reached more often than unclear goals
?? p.99

Question 5

W&H suggest 5 criteria for “good” collaborative goals. What are these?

Answer 5

• short, medium and long range issues are addressed
• goals are behaviorally specific
• statements orient toward the present and future
• goals recognize interdependence
• collaborative goals recognize an ongoing process.