Personal Conflict Management

A great choice for both undergraduate and graduate courses, Personal Conflict Management provides essential skills for a variety of situations, including timely topics like bullying and generational differences. This highly practical and well researched text is invaluable for understanding conflict management in the modern world. - Heidi Reeder, Ph.D., Boise State University, USA Personal Conflict Management: Theory and Practice, second edition offers exceptional treatment of interpersonal conflict and its management. It is distinctive in its discussion of bullying, as well as apologies. Clearly written with concise discussion scenarios makes the book easy to use in undergraduate conflict management courses. -Colleen M. Keough, Ph.D., University of Southern California, USA A great choice for both undergraduate and graduate courses, Personal Conflict Management provides essential skills for a variety of situations, including timely topics like bullying and generational differences. This highly practical and well researched text is invaluable for understanding conflict management in the modern world. - Heidi Reeder, Ph.D., Boise State University, USA Personal Conflict Management: Theory and Practice, second edition offers exceptional treatment of interpersonal conflict and its management. It is distinctive in its discussion of bullying, as well as apologies. Clearly written with concise discussion scenarios makes the book easy to use in undergraduate conflict management courses. -Colleen M. Keough, Ph.D., University of Southern California, USA

Suzanne McCorkle is an Emerita Professor of Public Policy and Administration, as well as Director of Conflict Management Studies at Boise State University. Melanie J. Reese is Dispute Resolution Coordinator for the Idaho Department of Education and Professor Emerita at Boise State University.

Contents List of Toolbox Resources List of Cases Preface Acknowledgments SECTION I Interpersonal Conflict Causes and Patterns 1 1 Conflict in Everyday Life What is interpersonal conflict? Interpersonal conflict is a struggle Interpersonal conflict occurs among a small number of people Interpersonal conflict requires at least a minimum amount of interdependence Conflict includes interference with goal achievement Conflict is perceived Interpersonal conflict is different from argument Seven assumptions about interpersonal conflict Beneficial aspects of interpersonal conflict Summary Chapter resources 2 Conflict Management Theories The purpose of theory Nature versus nurture Communication theory Theories influencing conflict management studies Early ideas about conflict Post-World War II Influences on conflict theory Constructive and destructive conflict Attribution theory Exchange theory Interaction theories Systems theory Summary Chapter resources 3 Competitive and Cooperative Conflict Approaches The competitive world The cooperative approach Interests versus positions Which approach to conflict is best? Supportive and defensive climates Summary Chapter resources 4 Causes of Conflict Conflict topics are not necessarily conflict causes Conflict behaviors are motivated by reasons that make sense Conflict behaviors are learned Goal interference causes conflict Four main goals during conflict Content goals Process goals Relationship goals Image/face goals Perception patterns affect how goals are interpreted Goals are dynamic Skills to enhance goal analysis and development Summary Chapter resources 5 How Sex/Gender, Race, Culture, and Generation Affect Conflict Sex/Gender Race Culture High/low-cultural context Collectivism and individualism Cultural conflict management style Age and generation The taking of privilege Mastering conflict management research Summary Chapter resources 6 How Power, Trust, and Humor Affect Conflict Power Distributive power Situational power Integrative power Power management Trust Humor Sources of conflict patterns Summary Chapter resources SECTION II: Conflict Management Skills 7 Listening and seeking information The listening process Barriers to effective listening Listening in competitive and cooperative bargaining Types of listening Eight steps for effective listening during conflict Consciously choose the conflict management mindset Give the other person your momentary full attention Evaluate which type of listening best fits the situation Deal with emotions before dealing with substance Ask questions to get information Give information the other person needs to know Frame or reframe onto common ground where agreement is possible Check mutual understanding while problem solving Summary Chapter resources 8 Conflict Style and Emotional Intelligence What is style? Personality styles The Meyers Briggs Type Indicator The Gregorc styles Model Social style model Conflict management styles The five styles of conflict management Three conflict management styles Conflcit Styles across cultures Communication styles that impact conflict Escalators and fractionators Conversational style Emotional Intelligence Transforming dysfunctional communication Summary Chapter resources 9 Negotiation What is negotiation? Contrasting approaches to negotiation Competitive negotiation Ineffective competition versus effective competition Ineffective competition versus effective competition Competitive negotiation tactics Cooperative negotiation Preparing for cooperative negotiation Cooperative negotiation tactics The choices negotiators make Moving from competition to cooperation Tactics to move competitors to collaboration Summary Chapter resources 10 Conflict Assessment Understanding conflict from the inside out Simpler conflict analysis tools Locating goal interference Mapping Compreh