Interpersonal Communication Processes
Conflict and Interpersonal Communication
Key Takeaways
- Interpersonal conflict is an inevitable part of
relationships that, although not always negative, can take an emotional
toll on relational partners unless they develop skills and strategies
for managing conflict.
- Although there is no absolute right or wrong way
to handle a conflict, there are five predominant styles of conflict
management, which are competing, avoiding, accommodating, compromising,
and collaborating.
- Perception plays an important role in conflict
management because we are often biased in determining the cause of our
own and others' behaviors in a conflict situation, which necessitates
engaging in communication to gain information and perspective.
- Culture influences how we engage in conflict
based on our cultural norms regarding individualism or collectivism and
concern for self-face or other-face.
- We can handle conflict better by identifying
patterns and triggers such as demands, cumulative annoyance, and
rejection and by learning to respond mindfully rather than reflexively.