Reference no: EM132393811
Escalation of Conflict
Conflict is something that happens when one person believes that the interests of someone else are either in opposition to or will negatively affect his or her own interest. The problem here is that conflict is based on perception-which is an imperfect process. Sometimes when the conflict cannot be or is not resolved, it can escalate. This results in an increase in intensity and can even result in provocation back and forth between the parties. This activity is important because understanding how conflict escalates can help you better manage it before it does so.
The goal of this activity is to test your knowledge of the five distinct characteristics that appear when there is an escalation of conflict.
Read each scenario. Then match the characteristics of an escalating conflict to the corresponding scenarios.
- Change in tactics
- Issues move from specific to general
- Number of issues grows
- Goals change
- Number of parties grows
Match each of the options above to the items below.
A. When the issue first arose, Susan attempted to discuss the problem with Jesse to get him to see it her way. As it became apparent that this was not working, Susan now feels she has no choice but to go to the boss.
B. When Steve first started to deal with the conflict he had with Boris, things seemed pretty straightforward. However, as he and Boris discuss the problem, they realize that they have just scratched the surface of it.
C. When Erin first started to deal with the conflict with Mark, the discussion focused on the issue at hand. But as time went on, she realized that perhaps the issue was that she just doesn't like Mark.
D. At first, Christine thought she would be able to effectively handle the problem between her and Katrina. When that wasn't working, Christine asked Katherine to help out.
E. When the conflict between Nancy and Ashley first came up, they worked together to try to solve the problem. As time has gone on, though, Nancy feels she really wants to "win" this argument.