Chapter 9
Multiple-Choice Items
1. Which one of the following statements is true about conflict in relationships?
A. Disagreement must be expressed directly for conflict to exist.
B. Conflict is inevitable in all interpersonal relationships.
C. Any difference in values, opinions, attitudes, and/or beliefs will lead to conflict.
D. Wanting to resolve differences is not essential for conflict to be present.
E. Healthy relationships have little to no conflict.
2. According to Eric Berne, games:
A. are effective ways to manage conflict.
B. involve overt responses to conflict situations.
C. do not require that both people cooperate.
D. allow those in conflict to hand disagreements in fun ways.
E. hide the real issues in a conflict.
3. Zach believes that in conflict situations the goal is to find a solution that all those involved
A. hit-miss.
B. win win.
C. win lose
D. tie-tie.
E. lose lose.
4.
as:
A. hit-miss.
B. win win.
C. win lose
D. tie-tie.
E. lose lose.
5. Janet believes that nobody can win when conflict erupts. From her perspective, everyone is
A. hit-miss.
B. win win.
C. win lose
D. tie-tie.
E. lose lose.
6. Constructive conflict communication includes:
A. preoccupation with oneself.
B. hostile mindreading.
C. excessive metacommunication.
D. agenda building.
E. frequent interruptions.
7. The most active and interpersonally constructive response to relational conflict is:
A. exit.
B. voice.
C. loyalty.
D. neglect.
E. ambush.
8. The most interpersonally constructive passive response to relational conflict is:
A. exit.
B. voice.
C. loyalty.
D. neglect.
E. ambush.
9. The ____ response to interpersonal conflict is both destructive and passive.
A. exit
B. voice
C. loyalty
D. neglect
E. ambush
10. Specific communication behaviors that contribute to unproductive interpersonal conflict
include all of the following EXCEPT:
A. disconfirmation.
B. hostile mindreading.
C. asking questions for clarification.
D. self-summarizing.
E. offering counterproposals.
11. Desi and Consuela are arguing about how to spend the tax refund they received. He says they
should get the car fixed; she says they should first go on a vacation; he then suggests they fix
the car and use any money left to vacation; she suggests they sell the car and be rid of the
problem. Desi and Consuela are engaging in which pattern of unproductive conflict?
A. excessive metacommunication
B. kitchensinking
C. counterproposals
D. cross-complaining
E. self-summarizing
12.
pattern?
A. cross-complaining
B. excessive metacommunication
C. self-summarizing
D. making counterproposals
E. kitchensinking
13. All of the following are distinct ways North Americans respond to relational distress
EXCEPT.
A. exit
B. voice
C. cognitive complexity
D. neglect
E. loyalty
14. All of the following are forms of constructive communication EXCEPT.
A. counterproposals
B. sensitive listening
C. compromises
D. dual perspective
E. asking for clarification
15. All of the following are forms of unproductive communication EXCEPT.
A. poor listening
B. cross-complaining
C. excessive metacommunication
D. validation of each other
E. kitchen-sinking
16. The opposite or unproductive communication of dual perspective is:
A. poor listening
B. cross-complaining
C. excessive metacommunication
D. preoccupation with self
E. kitchen-sinking
17. The opposite or unproductive communication of sensitive listening is:
A. poor listening
B. cross-complaining
C. excessive metacommunication
D. validation of each other
E. kitchen-sinking
18. The opposite or unproductive communication of useful metacommunication is:
A. poor listening
B. cross-complaining
C. excessive metacommunication
D. validation of each other
E. kitchen-sinking
19. The opposite or unproductive communication of recognition of each other is:
A. poor listening
B. cross-complaining
C. excessive metacommunication
D. validation of each other
E. kitchen-sinking
20. The opposite or unproductive communication of focus on specific issues is:
A. poor listening
B. cross-complaining
C. excessive metacommunication
D. validation of each other
E. kitchen-sinking
21. The opposite or unproductive communication of negative affect is:
A. positive affect
B. cross-complaining
C. excessive metacommunication
D. validation of each other
E. kitchen-sinking
22. The opposite or unproductive communication of frequent interruptions is:
A. infrequent interruptions
B. cross-complaining
C. excessive metacommunication
D. validation of each other
E. kitchen-sinking
23. The opposite or unproductive communication of self-summarizing by both parties is:
A. summarizing the concerns
B. cross-complaining
C. excessive metacommunication
D. validation of each other
E. kitchen-sinking
24. The opposite or unproductive communication of asking for clarification is:
A. hostile mind reading
B. cross-complaining
C. excessive metacommunication
D. validation of each other
E. kitchen-sinking
25. All of the following are five principles of interpersonal conflict EXCEPT:
A. conflict is both natural and inevitable in interpersonal relationships.
B. conflict can be directly communicated or covertly expressed through indirect
communication or games that camouflage real issues.
C. conflict styles and meanings are shaped by social location membership in cultures
and social communities.
D. conflict influences its resolution and its impact on interpersonal climates.
E. conflict can be destructive for individuals and relationships.
26. All of the following are conflict management skills. EXCEPT:
A. listen mindfully
B. communicate supportively
C. own your feelings, thoughts, and issues
D. look for points of disagreement
E. imagine how you will feel in the future
27. Each of the following are Japanese styles of negotiation EXCEPT:
A. avoid confrontation
B. avoid explicit disagreement
C. work to make sure that neither you nor the other person succeeds
D. plan to spend a long time discussing issues before moving toward a decision
E. understate your own initial position
28. All of the following are American styles of negotiation EXCEPT:
A. push to reach decisions cautiously
B. be adversarial
C. work to win all you can
D. overstate initial position to establish a strong image
E. keep your bottom line secret from the other person to preserve power and gain the
most
29. The __ stages of constructive conflict is marked by what Gottman calls agenda building.
A. early
B. middle
C. later
D. exit
E. imaginary
30. In this stage, attention shifts to resolving the tension and partners engage in contradicting.
A. early
B. middle
C. later
D. exit
E. dual
31. All of the following are conflict management skills except:
A. attend to the relationship level of meaning
B. communication supportively
C. listening mindlessly
D. take responsibility for your thoughts, feelings, and issues
E. check perceptions
32. In regards to on the job conflict, it is ___.
A. infrequent
B. rare
C. common
D. moderate
E. obsolete
33. In this stage, the foundation of constructive management of conflict is established long
before a specific disagreement is aired.
A. early
B. middle
C. later
D. exit
E. dual
34. In this stage of unproductive conflict tend to be marked by infrequent interruptions that
disrupt the flow of talk.
A. early
B. middle
C. later
D. exit
E. dual
35. In this stage, in unproductive conflict this involves meeting proposals with counter-
proposals, in constructive conflict people continue to collaborate.
A. early
B. middle
C. later
D. exit
E. dual
True-False Items
1. Conflict exists if people have differences.
2. The win-win conflict style is always the best approach.
3. Disagreement and conflict are strongly disapproved of in many Asian cultures.
4.
conflict.
5. Women are more likely than men to use coercive tactics, both verbal and physical, to
avoid discussing problems and to force their resolutions on others.
6. The majority of Mediterranean cultures regard lively conflict as normal, valuable part of
everyday life.
7. Mainstream culture in the United States emphasizes assertiveness and individuality.
8. Conflict is a normal, inevitable part of most interpersonal relationships.
9. Most of us have attitudes about conflict that reflects scripts we learned in our families.
10. The presence of conflict does not indicate that a relationship is unhealthy or in trouble,
11. A common form of covert conflict is passive aggression, which is acting aggressively
while denying feelings or acting aggressive.
12.
other person down.
13. Low levels of conflict could reflect limited emotional depth between partners or
unwillingness to engage in communication about differences.
14. Researchers report that there is no direct association between marital happiness and the
number of arguments that spouses have.
15. Ineffective communication can hurt individuals, damage relationships, and undermine the
possibility of resolving problems.
16. Cross-complaining occurs when one perso
17. Excessive metacommunication is a final form of negative communication in
unproductive conflict.
18. In constructive conflict communication, people use metacommunication to keep the
discussion on track.
19. People who manage conflict unproductively often become embroiled in
20. Research has shown that forgiveness is a major influence on how or whether
relationships progress.
Identification Items
1. Passive agression
2. Exit response
3. win-win
4. lose-lose
5. win-lose
6. Kitchen-sinking
7. Bracketing
8. Contracting
9. Neglect response
10. Loyalty response
11. Interpersonal conflict
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12. voice response
Essay Items
1. What are the characteristics of forgiveness? How is forgiveness a part of conflict? Describe
an example from your own experiences in forgiveness was part of the conflict process.
2. Contrast the communication behaviors identified as contributing to constructive and
unproductive interpersonal conflict. Relate the behaviors to principles of verbal
communication, nonverbal behavior, and listening to explain why particular behaviors are
ineffective or effective.
3. In Chapter 9, Julia Wood discussed the concept of grace. Define this concept and explain
under what conditions and in what relationships showing grace is appropriate and
inappropriate.
4. Eric Berne catalogued a number of games that people play. Define the concept of games as
Berne does, describe their characteristics, and provide an example to illustrate this concept.
From what you know about effective communication during conflict and constructive
conflict, discuss two skills, guidelines, or behaviors that can help to minimize game playing
in relationships.
5. Describe three Japanese styles of communication during business negotiations and three
American styles of communication during business negotiations as found by McDaniel &
Quasha, 2000 and Weiss, 1987.
6. Explain the five principles of conflict.
7. Discuss the different approaches to conflict and give an example of each.
8. Discuss and explain the different responses to conflict,
9. What are some ways for handling workplace conflict effectively?
10. What happens in the early, middle, and later stages of unproductive conflict?
11. Explain the communication of forgiveness.
Rejoinders
Multiple-Choice Items
316
True-False Items
Identification Items
317
Essay Items
