Conflict: From Theory to Action

Each chapter begins with Objectives and Key Terms, and concludes with From Theory to Action. PART I.UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF CONFLICT. 1.Introduction to the Study of Conflict. A Perspective on Conflict. The Inevitability of Conflict. The Consequences of Conflict. 2.People in Conflict: Values, Attitudes, and Beliefs. Socialization and Conflict. Attitudes toward Communication and Conflict. Functional Beliefs for Managing and Resolving Conflict. 3.Culture and Gender in Conflict. A Hierarchical Model of Cultural Understanding. The Hierarchical Model and Cultural Variability. The Challenge of Diversity. Sex, Gender, and Conflict. PART II.UNDERSTANDING HOW CONFLICT WORKS. 4.Types of Conflict. Types of Conflict. Issues as Indicators of Real and Substantive Conflicts. Moral Conflict. 5.The Process of Conflict: Phases and Cycles. Phase Theories of Conflict. Patterns and Cycles in Conflict. Conflict as a Process. 6.Conflict Styles, Strategies, and Tactics. Conflict Styles, Strategies, and Tactics. Conflict Strategies and Tactics. Collaboration: The Preferred Style. Case Studies of Cultural Differences in Conflict Resolution Styles. PART III. ANALYZING CONFLICT: THEORY AND RESEARCH IN INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT. 7.Social-Psychological Perspectives of Conflict. Psychodynamic and Attribution Theories. Relationship Theories. Structural Theory. 8.A Communication Perspective on Conflict Behavior. Linear versus Transactional Views of Communication and Conflict. Rules and Conflict Communication. Communication Competence and Conflict Behavior. Examining Goals and Effects in Conflict Situations. 9.Research on Intimacy and Conflict. Intimate and Marital Conflict Issues. Relationship Life Cycle, Aging, and Conflict Style. PART IV.EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION BEHAVIOR. 10.Using the S-TLC System. The S-TLC System. Thinking about Conflict: Analyzing Conflict Situations. Listening in Conflict Situations. 11.Choosing among the Communication Options in Conflict Situations. Conflict Communication Options. Communication Considerations: Which Conflict Communication Option Is Best? 12.Effectively Confronting Others. The Interpersonal Conflict Ritual: Six Steps to Successful Confrontation. Doing Conflict Messages: Using I-Statements. Dealing with People Who Play Games. Confronting Difficult People. 13.Cooperative Negotiation in Win-Lose Conflicts. Conflicts over Two Types of Resources. Bargaining and Negotiation. Strategies for Tangible-Issue Conflicts. PART V.ESCALATING AND DE-ESCALATING CONFLICT. 14.The Escalation of Conflict: Anger and Stress. The Emotion of Anger. Containing Escalation. Stress and Escalation of Conflict. 15.Impression Management in Conflict Situations. Understanding the Demands of Face. Embarrassment as a Face-Threatening Situation. Methods for Correcting One's Impression. 16.After the Conflict: Forgiveness and Reconciliation. Conflicts and Relational Transgressions. Relational Transgressions. Conflict, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation. Appendix A: Mediation as Third-Party Intervention. Appendix B: Example of a Conflict Assessment.