Complete the worksheet below and answer each question in a discussion board posting. 

– 400 word minimum

Choose a person and a situation in which you are currently experiencing or have experienced a conflict. (Example: A conflict between family or your personal relationship)

I.  Justify that it is, in fact, a conflict (rather than a difference of opinion or perspective) by demonstrating that it meets the five parts of the definition of a conflict.  So, define each of the following and then explain how your specific conflict fits each of these criteria. 

***Reference the textbook (attached) chapters 10 and 11 ONLY.***

    A.  Expressed Struggle 

    B.  Perceived Incompatible Goals

    C.  Perceived Scarce Resources 

    D.  Interdependence

    E.  Interference from the Other Party 

II.  Describe how this conflict would be handled using each of the communication styles and conflict methods in your text.  To do this, briefly define each method.  Make sure to paraphrase the text.  After you have defined each method, describe your and the other person’s behavior that would be associated with each of these methods.  Discuss the pros and cons of each choice. 

    A.  Avoiding

    B.  Accommodating

    C.  Competing

    D.  Compromising

    E.  Collaborating

III.  Which choice would be the best and why? Answer all questions below, as well. 

A.  Compare and contrast different skills that you have learned for dealing with differences of opinion/perspective and conflict in which there truly is a scarce resource.

B.  Reflect on the different styles and methods for conflict management.  How might less appropriate styles and methods of conflict management alter relationships?

C.  How does practicing the appropriate style and method in conflict demonstrate communication competence?

PLEASE FOLLOW Discussion Board Participation Rubric Guidelines:

Outstanding Contributor
Contributions reflect exceptional preparation. Ideas offered are always substantive, provide one or more major insights, and spur discussion in new and interesting directions. Challenges are well substantiated and persuasively presented. If this person were not a member of the class, the quality of course as a whole would be diminished markedly.

 A

Good Contributor
Contributions reflect thorough preparation. Ideas offered are usually substantive, provide good insights, and occasionally spur discussion in new direction. Challenges are well substantiated and often persuasive. If this person were not a member of the class, the quality of discussion would be diminished.

 B

Adequate Contributor
Contributions reflect satisfactory preparation. Ideas offered are sometimes substantive, provide generally useful insights but seldom offer a new direction for the discussion. Challenges are sometimes presented, are reasonably substantiated, and are sometimes persuasive. If this person were not a member of the class, the quality of discussion would be diminished somewhat.

 C

Non-Participant
This person says little or nothing. Hence, there is not an adequate basis for evaluation. If this person were not a member of the class, the quality of discussion would not be changed.

 D

Unsatisfactory Contributor
Contributions reflect inadequate preparation. Ideas offered are seldom substantive; provide few if any insights and never a constructive direction for the class. Integrative comments and effective challenges are absent. If this person were not a member of the class, valuable class time would be saved and the quality of the course improved.

 F

NEVER refrain from making a comment for fear of how it may effect your evaluation. This checklist evaluates participation over the span of a course, not your response to a given question, or even your performance on a given day. Much of the time, the only inappropriate questions or comments are those that are not made. Take a chance. Let your opinion be heard.