Jennifer Anderson
Comm 1080
Dec. 4, 2017
Conflict and Communication Final Paper
Overview
In a course textbook I read a few years ago, the authors Beebe, Beebe and Redmond
suggest that without a clear understanding of communication principles people (may often)
rely on untrue characterizations (in) communication, which can increase communication
problems. (Beebe, Beebe, Redmond, pg.10) It is important to remember that every person has
a multitude of different methods that they will naturally, situationally and repetitively use when
communicating with others whether the messages being exchanged are personal or
informational, collaborative or in opposition. However, by learning more appropriate, positive
and constructive methods of dealing with these misunderstandings and misinterpretations
(conflicts) we can produce greater inter-relational satisfaction in both our personal lives and
social interactions.
Theory/Concept
The concept this paper will be covering today is on Communication and Conflict.
According to Wilmott & Hocker, five styles that are most commonly referred to in
communication and conflict are competition, avoidance, compromise, accommodation and
collaboration (Wilmott, W.W. & Hocker, J.L., pg.145) and each of these styles comes with its
own relational benefits and returns. I-Statements are another method of message clarification
and conflict resolution that encourage individuals to stop, think and listen (before we)
communicate (Abigail & Cahn, 79)
According to several research claims, Wilmot & Hocker have also found that
collaborative styles in a variety of contexts result in better decisions and greater satisfaction
between partners (Wilmott, W.W. & Hocker, J.L., pg.170) than other conflict management
styles, depending on the intentions and willingness of the others involved. I dont believe that
this statement was meant to infer that this is the only or best way to resolve all communication
problems, however, in my own experience it has always been the most productive in
committed, long-term relational challenges.
Analysis
In one such example where I have recently been faced with difficulty in communicating
was with a new health insurance agent. We went in looking for more information on other
options available to us only to leave feeling like we just wasted our time because, he focused on
one concern and avoided addressing many of our other concerns and needs. In this example, I
was able to avoid dealing with the conflict by leaving because it was not necessary to stay in the
relationship with that particular individual. This is not always the case though.
Another communication and conflict example is a medical condition that my husbands
grandmother is suffering from. She has recently been going through a lot of anger issues and
has become extremely unmanageable to the point where she has had to be hospitalized. While
the family feels guilty that we cant provide her with the personalized care that she needs on
our own, she is dealing with feelings of abandonment, betrayal and misunderstanding.
In this situation, collaborative meetings are arranged where she, the whole family, and other
health professionals can come together to discuss what she wants or needs as we try to deal
with the complexity of the situation she is suffering from.
Reflection
From the many opportunities that I continue to go through I have learned that while
each situation may seem similar in initial context, each occurrence has the ability to be
dissimilar in the extreme according to individuals involved and situational interpretations. Both
our verbal and non-verbal messages have contextual meaning and are dependent, not only
upon the messages that are sent but rely wholly upon the receiver to willingly and accurately
interpret them. Perhaps by taking the opportunity to stop, think through and listen for
clues/alternative interpretations that are not only a part of who we are but also exist/result in
our choices and environment, we would find ourselves more capable of creating more
favorable and enduring resolutions to our conflicts.
References
Wilmott, W.W. & Hocker, J.L. (2011) Interpersonal Conflict - Conflict Stlyes, Comm 1080 Course
E-Readings, Accessed on Nov. 28, 2017
Abigail & Cahn (2014) Managing Your Conflict S-TLC and I-Statements Comm 1080 Course
E-Readings, Accessed on Nov. 28, 2017
Beebe, Steven A., Beebe, Susan J. and Redmond, Mark V. (2014) Interpersonal Communication,
Relating To Others - Seventh Edition Boston/Pearson Publishers. Print. Accessed on Dec. 4,
2017
