Describe what you consider to be your predominant style of interacting in conflict situations.

From what you have learned about conflict style in the reading, write an essay of about 1,000 words in length in which you do the following:
Describe what you consider to be your predominant style of interacting in conflict situations.
erm conflict style, although generally denoting either a personality trait or a characteristic manner of behaving, in Folger et al.’s estimation (p. 108) it more meaningfully refers to one’s orientation toward conflict and a predisposition to behave in conflict situations in particular ways–but not exclusively so, as people have demonstrated time and again a capacity for changing styles across conflict situations and even within particular interactions. Also of importance is the recognition that the other party’s behavior in any given conflict situation can be a powerful determinant of one’s own conflict style.

One’s style, in the sense that Folger et al. use the term, is first and perhaps foremost a reflection of a person’s concern for oneself and tendency to be assertive versus concern for others and tendency to be cooperative.
The most commonly mentioned categories ) of conflict style include
a. competing (forcing–the hard form–and contending–the softer form);
b. avoiding (with the variations of protecting, as in, “I am not going to talk about it,” withdrawing, as in subtly changing the subject, and smoothing, as in de-emphasizing the significance of the issue in dispute);
c. accommodating (including both yielding, or completely giving in to the other party, and conceding on some issues);
d. compromising (“firm” concerning what one is willing to give up and expects in return and “flexible” in respect to these matters); and
e. problem solving–active engagement in a search for settlements that fulfill both parties’ desires.
Classify the style in terms of which of the categories in the reading assignment it appears to fit best and explain why.
Discuss situations in which you think your style has been of help in resolving conflicts and others in which it has been problematic.
Identify what you think might be some of the difficulties in trying to change your style if a given situation seemed to make a change appear advisable.

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