This book explores the process of interpersonal conflict - from the initial decision as to whether or not to confront differences through to how to plan the actual confrontation. It deals extensively with negotiation and, where negotiation proves unsuccessful, with third-party dispute resolution. To avoid destructive or violent behaviour, Donohue emphasizes the importance of keeping conflicts under control and of focusing on the pertinent issues. He argues that the key to managing conflict is to address differences collaboratively so that the parties can create better solutions and, ultimately, strengthen their relationships.
Managing Interpersonal Conflict is a systematic review of conflict research in legal, institutional and relational contexts. Each chapter represents a summary of the existing quantitative social science research using meta-analysis, with contexts ranging from jury selection to peer mediation to homophobia reduction. The contributors provide connections between cutting-edge scholarship about abstract theoretical arguments, the needs of instructional and training pedagogy, and practical applications of information. The meta-analysis approach produces a unique informational resource, offering answers to key research questions addressing conflict. This volume serves as an invaluable resource for studying conflict, mediation, negotiation and facilitation in coursework; implementing and planning training programs; designing interventions; creating workshops; and conducting studies of conflict.
Types and sources of conflict; Methods of conflict resolution and problem solving; The language of conflict and problem solving; Personal styles of conflict resolution; Attitudes and problem solving; Organizing for conlict or cooperation; Early stages of integrative decision making; Later stages of integrative decision making; Changing conflict resolution skills and behavior.
This book explores the process of interpersonal conflict - from the initial decision as to whether or not to confront differences through to how to plan the actual confrontation. It deals extensively with negotiation and, where negotiation proves unsuccessful, with third-party dispute resolution. To avoid destructive or violent behaviour, Donohue emphasizes the importance of keeping conflicts under control and of focusing on the pertinent issues. He argues that the key to managing conflict is to address differences collaboratively so that the parties can create better solutions and, ultimately, strengthen their relationships.
Interpersonal Conflict provides a psychotherapeutic and philosophical understanding of the nature of interpersonal conflict. Arguing that facilitating conflict resolution has little to do with objective logic or rationale, and everything to do with personal (and cultural) values and aspirations, Karen Weixel-Dixon uses the lens of existential psychotherapy to provide innovative skills for conflict management. The book offers a deeper understanding of those theories and practices surrounding currently held perspectives on conflict, and extends the repertoire of communication skills relevant to difficult interpersonal situations, offering theoretical and practical input into the possibilities of reaching a therapeutic result. Interpersonal Conflict will be an engaging and informative guide for professionals in psychotherapy, health, HR, legal and teaching professions working with conflict, as well as students taking courses involving conflict resolution.
Communicating Interpersonal Conflict in Close Relationships: Contexts, Challenges, and Opportunities provides a state-of-the-art review of research on conflict in close personal relationships. This volume brings together both seasoned and new voices in communication research to address the challenges in evaluating conflict. Contributors review the current state of research on themes related to power, serial arguments, interpersonal and family dynamics, physiological processes, and mechanisms of forgiveness by presenting theoretical reviews, original unpublished data-driven research, and discussions about the methodological challenges and opportunities in studying interpersonal conflict. An essential resource for graduate students and faculty interested in interpersonal conflict in close relationships between romantic partners, families, or friends, this volume is intended for advanced coursework and individual study in communication, social psychology, and close relationship scholarship.
An introduction to the theory and practice of conflict management. This text first describes the components and dynamics of interpersonal conflict then the various strategies for negotiation, bargaining and resolution.
Personal Conflict Management utilizes a modernized theory/skill approach to interpersonal conflict, placing equal emphasis on the theoretical and practical. Supporting the notion that there is not one correct approach to conflict management, and utilizing the authors’ shared experiences as mediators and organizational facilitators, this text demonstrates the value of collaborative models for resolving conflict and the necessity and benefits in understanding competitive approaches. Through the inclusion of both competitive and cooperative theories, the authors present contrasting perspectives of conflict management. Beginning with an introduction to conflict, the text examines the major approaches and theories of conflict management. Following a discussion of the causes and variables which exist within conflicts, the skills necessary for conflict management are analyzed, including listening, the ability to seek information, the importance of understanding personality types and behavior patters, negotiation, and conflict assessment. The final two sections of the text take the reader beyond the basics, exploring the difficulties encountered in conflict management, the aftermath to a conflict, and conflicts in context, applying the theoretical concepts to everyday situations. Written in an academic yet reader-friendly style, this textbook is enjoyable and thought-provoking for both students and instructors. Case studies, examples, essay suggestions, discussion questions, etc support an interactive environment that optimizes learning opportunities. Instructors will find these features useful in the development of classroom discussions and assignments, while students will benefit from the opportunity to examine their own conflict behavior and enhance their skills in conflict management.
This book presents a framework for diagnosing recurring conflicts and suggests several basic options for controlling or resolving them. Included are concepts and methods that are applicable to various types of conflict, both interpersonal and inter system. Three documented case histories of interpersonal conflict are provided as well as a presentation of an international workshop dialogue.
