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Chapter Ten: Conflict
Management in Small Groups
OBJECTIVES:
1. Explain why conflict occurs in small groups.
2. Describe the negative impact that conflict has on group
communication.
3. List three myths about conflict.
4. Identify strategies for managing different types of conflict.
5. Describe four conflict management principles.
6. Define the concepts of groupthink.
7. Identify six symptoms of groupthink.
8. Apply techniques for reducing groupthink.
9. Define consensus.
10. Apply techniques for managing conflict and reaching consensus
in small groups.
This chapter focuses on the causes of conflict
and presents some strategies for managing it in small groups.
Remember: People inevitably disagree
when they interact!
I. What is Conflict
A. Conflict
Defined
Conflict: occurs when members disagree over two or more options
that a group can take in
trying to make a decision, solve a problem, or achieve a goal.
"The interaction of interdependent people who perceive incompatible goals
and interference
from each other in achieving these goals."
Conflict results from differences between group members.
Differences in:
1. Personality
2. Perception
3. Information
4. Power
5. Influence
Negative Consequences include:
1. keeps group from accomplishing its task
2. interferes with the quality of group's decision or productivity
3. threatens the existence of the group
Three Identifiable Phases: 1)interpersonal, 2) confrontation,
substantive conflict.
B. Myths
about Conflict
1. In Group Discussions, Conflict Should Be Avoided at All Costs.
2. All Conflict Occurs Because People Do Not Undersatnd One Another
3. All Conflict Can Be Resolved
II. Types
of Conflict (see Summary on page 275)
A. Pseudo-Conflict:
When People Misunderstand One Another
1.
occurs when individuals agree, but because of poor communication.
2.
conflict management strategies can be found on pages 271-272
B. Simple
Conflict: When People Disagree about Issues
1.
occurs when each of two individuals knows what the other wants,
but neiteher can achieve a goal without preventing the other from achieving
one.
2.
conflict management strategies can be found on page 273.
C. Ego
Conflict: When Personalities Clash
1.
occurs when individuals become defensive about their positions because
they
think they are being personally attacked.
2.
conflict management strategies can be found on page 274.
III. Conflict
and Culture in Small Groups
A. Individualistic
and Collectivistic Approaches to Conflict
B. High-Context
and Low-Context Approaches to Conflict
IV. Conflict
Management Styles
How concerned
are you for other people?
How concerned
are you for yourself?
A. Nonconfrontational
(AVOIDING)
B. Controlling
(COMPETITIVE)
C. Cooperative
(ACCOMODATING, COLLABORATING)
V. Cooperative
Conflcit Management: Principles and Skills (SUMMARY
on Page 281)
A. Separate the People from the Problem
B. Focusing
on Shared Interests
C. Generating
Many Options to Solve Problems
D. Basing
Decisions on Objective Criteria
VI. When
People Are Not Cooperative: Dealing with Difficult Group Members
A. Manage
your Emotions
B. Describe
What is Upsetting You
C. Disclose
your Feelings
D. Return
to the issue of Contention
VII. Groupthink:
Conflict Avoidance
The illusion of agreement--a type of thought that occurs when
a group strives to minimize
conflict and reach a consensus without critically testing, analyzing, and
evaluating ideas.
A. Symptoms of Groupthink (Summary
on page 287)
B. Suggestions
to Reduce Groupthink (Summary on page 289)
VIII. Consensus:
Reaching Agreement Through Communication
A. The Nature of Consensus
B. Suggestions
for Reaching Consensus (Summary on page 295)
IX. Putting
Principle into Practice: Four Kinds of Problem-Solving Formats
A. The Case of Johnny Rocco (pp. 300-301)
B. Winter Survival
(pp. 301-302)
C. Conflict
Style Questionnaire (pp. 302-304) |