Page 1
1.
________ is an interaction between two or more interdependent people who perceive
that they have contradictory goals or scarce resources.
A)
Unproductive conflict
B)
Productive conflict
C)
Conflict
D)
Conflict management
2.
Conflict that is managed effectively is referred to as
A)
resolution
B)
productive conflict.
C)
pseudoconflict.
D)
managed conflict.
3.
Which of the following is not one of the ways in which productive conflict may benefit
the parties involved?
A)
Fostering healthy debate
B)
Gaining influence or control over others
C)
Spurring relationship growth
D)
Improving decision-making
4.
In order to avoid normal traffic disruptions, some online companies and organizations
attempt to curb trolling by doing which of the following?
A)
Using moderators to review posts
B)
Shutting down the website entirely
C)
Vetting user profiles before allowing them to post
D)
Provoking users to engage in trolling in order to remove their posting privileges
5.
Which of the following is NOT a form of provocation?
A)
Passivity
B)
Irresponsibility
C)
Aggression
D)
Identity threats
Page 2
6.
Danny and his roommate Matt have very different definitions of “clean,” and this leads
to a lot of frustration for Danny, who likes to keep their apartment spotless. However,
every time Danny tries to talk to Matt about his frustration, Matt becomes upset and he
lashes out at Danny saying things like, “Are you calling me a pig? Why do you always
assume that the mess is mine? I feel like I’m constantly being judged.” What would we
call Matt’s response?
A)
Unproductive conflict
B)
Aggression
C)
Conflict avoidance
D)
Taking conflict personally
7.
What do we call the atmosphere surrounding how we feel about our communication in
different relationships?
A)
Mood
B)
Power dynamics
C)
Identity management
D)
Communication climate
8.
An atmosphere of mistrust, suspicion, and apprehension characterize which kind of
communication climate?
A)
Uncertain
B)
Defensive
C)
Stormy
D)
Supportive
9.
In a(n) _________ culture, people approach conflict with an emphasis on each person´s
needs, rights, and identity over a focus on those of the larger group.
A)
high-context
B)
low-context
C)
individualist
D)
collectivist
Page 3
10.
When Christiana brings home a low math grade on her report card, she is greeted at the
door with a disapproving look from her mother. At the dinner table, both of her parents
are silent as they eat and neither responds to her comments about her day, until she
finally says, “I´m sorry I didn´t do well in math this term! “Her father replies, “Why
aren´t you earning better grades? “Based on this information, within what type of
culture(s) would we infer that Christiana lives?
A)
masculine
B)
feminine
C)
individualist and low-context
D)
collectivist and high-context
11.
Managing conflict through social media is different than dealing with conflict
face-to–face because the physical distance of digital media gives people the courage to
be ___________.
A)
intimate
B)
hostile
C)
candid
D)
distant
12.
After Marissa became frustrated with an insensitive comment Kevin made toward her,
she excused herself and worked independently for the rest of the day. After work, she
asked to switch shifts for the next few days so that she could have a bit of distance from
him. What escapist strategy did Marissa use?
A)
Avoiding
B)
Obliging
C)
Distancing
D)
Silence
13.
An individual who would rather lose an argument than hurt the other person’s feelings
might yield his or her position to accommodate the other person. What is this escapist
strategy called?
A)
Avoiding
B)
Obliging
C)
Distancing
D)
Silence
14.
The conflict strategy that leads to a win-win resolution of the conflict is the __________
A)
indirect fighting strategy.
B)
direct fighting strategy.
C)
compromising strategy.
D)
collaborating strategy.
Page 4
15.
If you sit down and talk to your significant other about a conflict and argue
counterpoints in order to reach a solution, you are engaging in which communication
strategy?
A)
Playing devil´s advocate
B)
Apology
C)
Probing
D)
Disclosure
16.
Conflict is inevitable in relationships and sometimes cannot be resolved.
A)
True
B)
False
17.
Poorly managed relational conflict can result in poor health.
A)
True
B)
False
18.
Conflict is a sign of an unhealthy relationship.
A)
True
B)
False
19.
All conflict results from misunderstanding.
A)
True
B)
False
20.
Incompetence can be categorized as a form of provocation leading to conflict.
A)
True
B)
False
21.
Identity management is a form of provocation that occurs when the partners in a
relationship grow apart as they discover new parts of themselves.
A)
True
B)
False
22.
Defensive climates can occur when we aren´t comfortable openly and honestly talking
about conflict.
A)
True
B)
False
Page 5
23.
In individualist cultures, conflict is viewed as negatively affecting relational harmony.
A)
True
B)
False
24.
People from high-context and collectivist cultures engage in indirect conflict
management behaviors.
A)
True
B)
False
25.
Research by John Gottman has found that women tend to stonewall their partners more
than men do.
A)
True
B)
False
26.
John Gottman’s research has found that women tend to criticize their partners more than
men do.
A)
True
B)
False
27.
Choosing an inappropriate channel through which to communicate one’s message can
lead to conflict in a relationship.
A)
True
B)
False
28.
It is common for people to use channels that provide limited or delayed interaction (for
example, using e-mail rather than the phone) to initiate or engage in conflict with people
who intimidate them.
A)
True
B)
False
29.
Although communicating on the phone or through Facebook may be more convenient,
most people consider face-to-face conflict to be more sensitive.
A)
True
B)
False
Page 6
30.
Escapist strategies of conflict are harmful to a relationship and should be avoided in
favor of more direct and effective conflict management strategies.
A)
True
B)
False
31.
Communication scholars consider competing strategies of conflict to be a form of
aggression.
A)
True
B)
False
32.
Playing devil´s advocate is a challenging conflict management behavior.
A)
True
B)
False
33.
The Miller family cannot decide where to have dinner, so they have everyone write
down their choice on a piece of paper and put it in a bowl. When Dad draws Pagliai´s
Pizza out of the bowl, their choice has been made through a form of compromise.
A)
True
B)
False
34.
Productive conflict does not necessarily result in a successful resolution of the dispute.
A)
True
B)
False
35.
An apologist does not actually have to acknowledge that he or she was wrong in order to
apologize.
A)
True
B)
False
Page 7
Answer Key
1.
C
2.
B
3.
B
4.
A
5.
A
6.
D
7.
D
8.
B
9.
C
10.
D
11.
B
12.
A
13.
B
14.
D
15.
C
16.
A
17.
A
18.
B
19.
B
20.
A
21.
B
22.
A
23.
B
24.
A
25.
B
26.
A
27.
A
28.
A
29.
A
30.
B
31.
B
32.
B
33.
A
34.
A
35.
B