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COMM301

Week 9: Conflict Communication

Week 9 Summary

Week Summary

This week, we tackled the challenging but essential topic of conflict communication. We learned that conflict itself isn't the problem - it's how we handle it that determines whether it strengthens or damages our relationships. We explored five conflict styles, recognized destructive patterns, and practiced constructive approaches.

Key Takeaways

  • 1The five conflict styles (competing, accommodating, avoiding, compromising, collaborating) each have appropriate uses
  • 2Gottman's Four Horsemen (criticism, contempt, defensiveness, stonewalling) predict relationship failure - but have antidotes
  • 3De-escalation techniques can reduce conflict intensity before it becomes destructive
  • 4Focusing on interests rather than positions opens creative, win-win solutions
  • 5The goal isn't to eliminate conflict but to handle it constructively

Coming Up Next Week

Next week, we'll explore friendship communication and boundaries. We'll examine different types of friendships, the unwritten rules that govern them, and how to set and maintain healthy boundaries in our closest non-romantic relationships.