The objective of Unit Nine is for you to learn and apply the Communication and Cognitive Bias Approach to conflict analysis and resolution.

Here the question is how does miscommunication lead to conflict and how can we reduce mis-communications through our understanding of cognitive and communicative processes. "Heuristics" is the term we use for mental shortcuts people take in perception and communication.

Sometimes these mental shortcuts or biases which are quite natural and often intuitive, such as selective attention bias, can lead to misunderstandings and communications. This is a growing area of research and theory development.

1. Watch the following presentations.

My summary presentation on "The Communication/Bias" Approach.

The Selective Attention Bias - demonstration exercise.

Renowned Magician Derren Brown demonstrating the effect of selective attention bias.

The Whodunnit Awareness Test.

Ted Talk on Misdirection and Selective Attention Bias

This summary on Attribution Theory and how disputants can often misattribute the motivations and intentions of each other.

The Fundamental Attribution Error and its implication for conflict resolution.

1. Read the following.

Read the following.

Chapter 11 by Profs. Thompson and Lucas.on how to overcome Judgment Biases in Conflict Resolution.

Chapter Nine - The Social Psychological Barriers to Conflict Resolution by Profs. Bar-Tal and Halperin.

1. Answer the following questions

A. What is meant by heuristics and cognitive biases and how can they work to increase conflict? Explain and provide an example.

B. List at least three cognitive biases (heuristics) and describe each. Also, explain each and provide an example for each.

C. What is meant by mis-attributions in communication? And what is meant by Fundamental Attribution Error and how can it escalate conflict? Explain and provide an example.

D. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Communication and Cognitive Bias approach? In your view, are you persuaded by this approach or do you think it is lacking as an approach to conflict analysis and resolution? Explain and debate. For example, does focusing on communication ignore structural, systemic, political, cultural reasons for conflict or not? Explain and debate.