Conflict Analysis Paper: Applying Conflict Management Skills

Task Steps

Conflict Analysis Paper Purpose The purpose of this assignment is to apply the concepts or theories discussed in class to an interpersonal relationship in which you have or had a major conflict. The analysis is intended to increase awareness or your conflict management skills. Overview Like your relationship paper every relationship conflict is different and therefore your analysis will be unique to your conflict. You will describe the relationship and the incompatible goal(s) that resulted in the conflict. The questions prompt you to examine your perceptions, verbal and nonverbal communication and the strategies you used to deescalate the conflict. Finally, you will assess how satisfied you were with the outcome of the conflict. Each question requires at least one paragraph to fully answer the question. Task Step 1: Select an interpersonal relationship in which you have or had a major conflict. This could be the same interpersonal relationship you discussed in the previous paper. The conflict could be a one time major conflict or a long, repetitive conflict. Use this relationship and the related conflict to answer the following questions: Step 2: Write a paper addressing the following questions: 2-4 pages in length, typed and double spaced, APA format; submitted on Canvas as an attached file; use a formal tone, good grammar, and spelling. 4 APA style citations from your textbook and/or other course materials. Describe the nature of the relationship and your interpersonal goals for the relationship prior to the conflict, include relational, self-presentation and instrumental goals. Conflict stems from perceptions of incompatible goals or interference with objectives. How were your goals incompatible with this person and/or how did you perceive the other person as interfering with your ability to achieve your objectives? OR perhaps it was vice versa. How did they perceive you interfering with their ability to achieve their objectives? What conflict approaches did you employ while pursuing this conflict? Were they effective? Why or why not? Be specific about the verbal and nonverbal choices you made as a result of the given conflict style. Identify a moment where you may have reacted defensively in this conflict. Which of the four types of defensive messages did you use to respond? What attributions did you make about the other person’s suggestion, advice, or criticism? What were the results of your response? What could you do differently next time? How did your nonverbal communication choices impact the escalation or deescalation of the conflict? How did the other person's nonverbal communication choices impact the escalation or deescalation of the conflict? Be specific about which behaviors had an impact and why. Were you satisfied with the results of the conflict? Why or why not? What might you have changed about your communication within this conflict if you were to do it again?