Conflict Management Analysis: Writing Assignment

Assignment Directions

William Wilmot and Joyce Hocker define conflict as "an expressed struggle between at least two interdependent parties who perceive incompatible goals, scarce resources, and interference from the other party in achieving their goals" (211). Think of a significant or memorable conflict you are having (or recently had) with someone with whom you have regular contact. Also consider and explain the situation and context in which the conflict occurred.

Based on this information, write a 2-3 page paper adhering to the following directions:

1. Explain how the conflict you had with the other person fits the elements of the definition of conflict by explaining

• how the struggle was expressed,

• what your opposing needs are,

• how interference is occurring,

• how you and the other person are interdependent, and

• what the scarce resource is.

These ideas are addressed in the text on pages 369-371.

2. Name, define and explain the type of conflict (ego, pseudo, content or value) you are having (or had) with this other person. The types of conflict are explained in a Web page and video in the course in the Conflict folder.

3. Name, define and explain the conflict management strategy (avoiding, accommodating, compromising,competing or collaborating) each of you are using (or used). These strategies are explained on pages 371-378 in the text.

4. Evaluate the effectiveness of each other's conflict management strategies and explain an alternate conflict management strategy that would be mutually beneficial to you and the other person, and why you think it would help resolve the conflict. What, if anything, would (or could) you have done differently based on this analysis?

5. Incorporate other communication concepts we have covered this semester, such as "I" Statements, perception checking, empathy, communication competence or assertiveness.

• Your paper should be typed, approximately 3-4 pages long, and double spaced.

• The paper should also be proofread, and mistakes in grammar, spelling, sentence structure, formatting and other areas of paper mechanics should be kept to a minimum.

• Include a complete introduction to the paper that includes a thesis statement introducing the main ideas of the paper. Organize the body of the paper into main ides that fit with your thesis statement. Include a conclusion to the paper that reviews and summarizes the paper.

• Include proper in-text citations in either APA or MLA format; be certain that you include the textbook definitions of the concepts you use and that you cite these definitions correctly. A works cited or reference page should be included at the end of your paper.