Chapter 9: Managing Conflict in Relationship

(pgs. 239-267)

I. Defining Interpersonal Conflict

a. Interpersonal Conflict:

i. Expressed conflict

ii. Interdependence

iii. Need to Resolve

II. Principles of Conflict

a. Conflict is natural in all relationships

b. Conflict may be overt or covert

i. Passive aggression:

ii. Games

c. Responses to conflict can benefit or harm ourselves and the relationship

III. Social Influences affect our orientation toward and responses to conflict

a. Cultural background

b. Gender

c. Sexual orientation\

IV. Managing conflict

V. Conflict can be beneficial

a. Promote both personal and relational growth

VI. Three basic orientations toward conflict

a. Lose-lose approach

b. Win-lose approach

c. Win-win approach

VII. Most people have relatively consistent patterns they employ to respond to conflict.

a. Exit responses

b. Neglect responses

c. Loyalty responses

d. Voice responses