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Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
1. True or false? Research on heterosexual married couples has found that men tend to stonewall their partners
more than women do.
a.
True
b.
False
2. 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
3. Conflict that is managed effectively is referred to as:
a.
escapism.
b.
productive conflict.
c.
unproductive conflict.
d.
avoidance.
4. True or false? People from high-context and collectivist cultures engage in indirect conflict management
behaviors.
a.
True
b.
False
5. An atmosphere of mistrust, suspicion, and apprehension characterizes which kind of communication climate?
a.
uncertain
b.
defensive
c.
stormy
d.
supportive
6. An interaction between two or more interdependent people who perceive that they have contradictory goals
or scarce resources is called:
a.
cyberbullying.
b.
trolling.
c.
conflict.
d.
aggression.
7. An individual who would rather lose an argument than hurt another person’s feelings might yield their
position to accommodate the other person. What is this escapist strategy called?
a.
avoiding
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b.
obliging
c.
distancing
d.
silence
8. True or false? Communication scholars consider competing strategies of conflict to be a form of aggression.
a.
True
b.
False
9. True or false? Irresponsibility can be categorized as a form of provocation leading to conflict.
a.
True
b.
False
10. True or false? Conflict is a sign of an unhealthy relationship.
a.
True
b.
False
11. True or false? Defensive climates can occur when we aren’t comfortable openly and honestly talking about
conflict.
a.
True
b.
False
12. True or false? Choosing an inappropriate channel through which to communicate one’s message can lead to
conflict in a relationship.
a.
True
b.
False
13. True or false? It is common for people to use channels that provide limited or delayed interaction (for
example, using email rather than the phone) to initiate or engage in conflict with people who intimidate them.
a.
True
b.
False
14. Madeline became frustrated over an insensitive comment that a classmate made toward her during a group
project. She excused herself and worked independently on tasks assigned to her for the rest of the day. For the
next few meetings, Madeline chose not to sit near the classmate and did not volunteer to work collaboratively.
What escapist strategy did Madeline use?
a.
avoiding
b.
obliging
c.
distancing
d.
silence
15. True or false? Playing devil’s advocate makes conflicts worse.
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a.
True
b.
False
16. True or false? Research on heterosexual married couples has found that women tend to criticize their
partners more than men do.
a.
True
b.
False
17. True or false? 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 a parent draws Pizza Palace out of the bowl, their
choice has been made through a form of compromise.
a.
True
b.
False
18. True or false? Lack of fairness is a form of provocation that occurs when someone treats one person better
than another or uses more than their fair share of resources.
a.
True
b.
False
19. Danny and his roommate, Kevin, have very different definitions of “clean.” This leads to a lot of frustration
for Danny, who likes to keep their apartment spotless. However, every time Danny tries to talk to Kevin about
his frustration, Kevin becomes upset and 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
Kevin’s response?
a.
unproductive conflict
b.
aggression
c.
conflict avoidance
d.
taking conflict personally
20. True or false? Poorly managed relational conflict can result in poor health.
a.
True
b.
False
21. True or false? All conflict results from misunderstanding.
a.
True
b.
False
22. Which is a form of provocation in which someone attacks who another person is?
a.
passivity
b.
irresponsibility
c.
aggression
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d.
identity threats
23. True or false? In individualist cultures, conflict is viewed as negatively affecting relational harmony.
a.
True
b.
False
24. 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.
25. Productive conflict may become competitive, which in turn:
a.
fosters healthy debate.
b.
allows speakers to gain control over others.
c.
spurs relationship dissolution.
d.
triggers decision making.
26. 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.
27. True or false? Escapist strategies of conflict are bad for quick resolutions.
a.
True
b.
False
28. True or false? A person does not actually have to acknowledge that they were wrong in order to apologize.
a.
True
b.
False
29. True or false? Productive conflict does not necessarily result in a successful resolution of the dispute.
a.
True
b.
False
30. When Talbot brings home a low biology grade on a test, his parents ask, “Why didn´t you earn a better
grade?” This leads to a direct discussion of the issues Talbot is facing and solutions to improve his performance
in biology. Based on this information, within what type of culture(s) would we infer that Talbot lives in?
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a.
masculine
b.
feminine
c.
individualist and low context
d.
collectivist and high context
31. Troy enjoys intentionally starting arguments on Reddit and other discussion threads. Troy would be
considered a(n):
a.
troll.
b.
cyberbully.
c.
direct fighter.
d.
indirect fighter.
32. People approach conflict with an emphasis on each person’s needs, rights, and identity over a focus on those
of the larger group in which type of culture?
a.
high context
b.
low context
c.
individualist
d.
collectivist
33. True or false? 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
34. 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.
devil’s advocate
b.
apology
c.
probing
d.
disclosure
35. True or false? Conflict is inevitable in relationships and sometimes cannot be resolved.
a.
True
b.
False
36. List and describe two cooperative strategies that can be used to effectively manage conflict.
37. Provide a brief example (real or fictional) to illustrate identity threats as a form of provocation.
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38. Identify three examples of conflict triggers that you or others have experienced.
39. What is the difference between probing and playing devil’s advocate?
40. Explain why compromise is not considered a win–win approach to conflict management.
41. List and describe the common triggers that lead to conflict.
42. What are three benefits of engaging in productive conflict?
43. List and describe the two communication strategies that foster reconciliation after a conflict. Which one do
you believe is more important and which is less important, and why? In your opinion, which one is easier to do
and which one is harder to do, and why?
44. Describe the destructive tendency called taking conflict personally.
45. Provide a brief example of a conflict you or someone you know has managed through compromise.
46. In the context of online conflict, what is the difference between cyberbullying and trolling?
47. Briefly explain the influences that affect the way conflict is managed in a relationship.
48. List and describe four forms of provocation identified by your text.
49. Define communication climate.
50. Compare and contrast the different conflict management strategies. Which strategies are most effective, and
which are least effective? Why?
51. Describe a recent conflict you or someone you know had with a roommate, friend, or romantic partner that
did not end in a satisfying resolution of the problem. Analyze and describe the way you and your partner
managed the conflict. How could you rewrite the conflict using more effective and appropriate conflict
management strategies to produce a more satisfying result?
52. Stephanie and Eliza have been dating for a couple of years. Stephanie wants to marry Eliza, but Eliza is
unsure. Eliza’s parents are divorced, and both parents have remarried and divorced again. Eliza says “I love
you, Stephanie. But I don’t believe in marriage.” Stephanie isn’t sure if she is willing to commit to a relationship
with Eliza if marriage isn’t on the table. Briefly contrast the ways this conflict might end if the couple uses the
conflict management strategy of avoiding, obliging, and direct fighting.
53. How does culture influence the ways in which people approach conflict management? Using a brief
narrative example, illustrate how your culture has shaped the way conflict is managed within your family.
54. Contrast a supportive climate with a defensive climate.
55. What is the difference between conflict and conflict management?
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56. What are the benefits of being a direct fighter?
57. By synthesizing what you have learned in this chapter and others in this text, discuss the role of ethics in
conflict management. Describe verbal/nonverbal behaviors, listening behaviors, and other communication
behaviors that you would label as unethical and explain why these behaviors are unethical and not merely
ineffective.
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