COMS 560
BRITTANY J STOKES
DR. KRAMER
COMS 560
30 JANUARY 2016
JOURNAL ACTIVITIES
Journal Activity 1
In the table below, the left-hand column contains sets of communication expressions that indicate conflict from
a particular metaphorical position. In the column on the right, follow the italics example in set 1 by filling in
the blanks underneath “Metaphor for Conflict.” Be sure to identify:
1) Where the scene of the conflict is.
2) Who the participants are.
3) Who must win the battle and by what method.
4) What is the outcome/purpose of the conflict?
Communication Expressions Metaphor for Conflict
Set 1:
Your actions are completely indefensible. He
attacked me where I was most vulnerable – my
kids. That criticism is right on target. Okay, shoot!
Accusations were hurled back and forth. I just
retreat. I fall back and regroup. Then I wait for an
opening. He slaughters me when I cry and get
confused. When I don’t want it to come to blow
(laughs), I launch a diversionary attack, like telling
him the kids are calling me.
WAR
The scene for conflict is battlefield. The
participants in discussion are warriors who must
win the battle. Nothing falls short of “killing” or
reducing the effectiveness of the opponent. The
purpose or outcome is inevitably a reduction of
players, harm, desire for vengeance and a
repetition of the battle.
Set 2:
He’s about to blow up. Any little thing will set him
off. Larry’s got a short fuse. The pressure’s
building up so fast that something’s gotta give
soon! I just need to let off steam. She is really
pushing my buttons.
EXPLOSION
The scene for conflict is at a sibling meeting at
their parents’ home. The participants in discussion
are siblings Larry, Elaine, and Rob. They must all
agree on a compromise or reach a collaboration.
The purpose or outcome of the conflict is that they
do not agree on what to do with the deceased
parents’ home but they must calm down and come
back to the issue at hand.
Set 3:
He’s got the best case. The jury’s still out on that
one. You’re accusing me of what? She’s the guilty
party on this one.
TRIAL
The scene is in a courtroom. The participants in
discussion are a landlord and a resident. Whoever,
the jury finds guilty must pay and the other shall
win the battle. The outcome or purpose of the
conflict is to get others opinion on the facts at hand
as to whether the landlord or the resident is guilty.
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Set 4:
I’m on a sinking ship with no lifeboat. I’m
traveling a rocky road. I’m working with a
checkbook that won’t balance.
STRUGGLE
The scene is in a lovely home. The participants in
discussion are a husband and wife. The
participants must collaborate to save the marriage.
The outcome or purpose of the conflict is that the
wife, Eliane, is overwhelmed with household duties
and children while husband, Jon, does not step up
to help her around the house.
Set 5:
I felt like being “a rowboat caught in a hurricane.
Tornado,
Avalanche
I was swept away,
Like a fire raging out of control.
ACT OF NATURE
The scene is at office. The participants are the
employer and the employee. The employee must
forgive and try to move on. The outcome or
purpose of the conflict is that the employee was laid
off and did not expect it after all of the hard work
and dedication she has given the company.
Journal Activity 2
Choose ONE of the following:
Cahn & Abigail 1 Think about it. p. 25, #,3,4,5, (Your essay should be about 1 page in length.)
Borisoff & Victor, p. 30: Suggested Activities A
Borisoff & Victor, p. 30: Suggested Activities B
Borisoff & Victor, p. 31: Suggested Activities C
3. In my family home it is me, my husband, and my two children Liam and Alina. I would say
that I probably come in conflict the most with my husband. I would say this because we spend
every day together and we share so many things. Basically, everything we do effects the other so
at times when those do not agree conflict will arise. We also have two children and a home so at
times we will disagree about these issues occasionally as well. After hearing about different
family conflicts we can conclude that all families will encounter conflict but it is important to
communicate effectively to prevent the same conflict cycle.
4. I agree that humans have an instinct for conflict because it is inevitable. You cannot spend
every moment with someone on the same level as you and never have conflict with that person.
Even for individuals on different levels conflict will arise. I think that conflict makes us more
human because it relates to how no one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone is
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their own person who views things differently. Conflict is a valuable asset because it helps us to
change and grow. Without conflict there is no is motivation to change.
5. It is possible to view interpersonal relationships positively when you have a positive outlook
on conflict in general. When my grandmother and I come into conflict it is usually very easy for
us to collaborate together. In situations when we cannot collaborate compromise is always easy
for us. Because of this trend I know what conflict with my grandmother is always positive and a
way for us to make a situation better.
Journal Activity 3
Cahn & Abigail 2 Discuss it. #2 p. 52. Please write out answer. No discussion group.
3.
a. The competitive conflict style
b. The competitive communication option is used in the narrative because the professor became
really bothered by the student disturbing her class and the student did not communicate what he was
trying to do at that time. This was the worst conflict style to use because there is no resolution for the
professor or the student.
c. The student could come talk to the professor to explain why he needed to get the audio visual
equipment. If he could not wait until the end of class maybe the professor could pause the class and
help him. Or the professor could keep teaching and she would be aware of the disturbance and would be
able to let her students know what was going on as well. The professor would feel respected and the
student may have felt a sense of relief once getting help and approval from the professor. They would
be able to collaborate or compromise with one another if the situation remained calm.
Journal Activity 4
Cahn & Abigail 3 p. 74 Work With It. #1
a. A
b. A
c. B
d. A
e. B
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f. A
g. B
h. B
i. A
j. A
k. B
Journal Activity 5
Cahn & Abigail 4 Apply it p. 102 #4
-All but B
Journal Activity 6
Cahn & Abigail 4 Apply it p. 102 #5
-B, C, I, and J
Journal Activity 7
Cahn & Abigail 4 -Apply It - p. 102 #6 Journal Activity 8
6.
-upset
-I get a bad grade
-the next day I feel sick
-to have extra time to relax
-I feel afraid when I am alone because I have been abandoned as a child. I want to know that
you are here for me.
-I feel upset when I do not know your plans because I want to know what I should do for dinner.
I want you to communicate your plans with me.
Activity 8.
-White hat- My husband and I were both involved. This issue is that I want him to plan his
activities before and to think of the children and I needs. The conflict started after my husband
made plans twice on days that I needed him to help with the children’s activities.
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-Red hat- I feel that he should be aware of everyone but maybe he is unaware that I really would
like more participation from him.
-Yellow hat- Yes I can be proud of us working together and some days we can even go to his
basketball games to support him.
-Black hat- Communication when planning the week may not go as well causing confusion
between us.
-Green hat-Maybe having a calendar or days that we have to ourselves to incorporate balance.
-Blue hat- The goal is definitely worthwhile and there are other ways to look at it so my husband
and I can collaborate to make a fair plan.
Cahn & Abigail 5 Work with it #1 p. 130 #1-5 answer all questions after case study.
1. You should remove yourself from the situation and get legal help
2. You should have security on site and a panic button for particular instances
3. You should stay calm and distance yourself from those individuals
4. You should communicate with your partner about your feelings
5. You should report sexual harassment in the workplace
Journal Activity 9
Sande, chs. 4 and 5: Reflection paragraph
In Chapter four Sande describes a different perspective to look at conflict. He encourages
individuals to look at their mistakes and flaws before judging others. In most conflict’s two
individuals have contributed so it is important to figure out what your contributing factor was.
He described how some individuals are highly sensitive to behaviors that others do or that your
sinful behavior may contribute to the conflicting issue. Also instead of allowing conflict to build
up it is effective to resolve existing conflicts. Sande also talks about how sometimes in situations
it may be best to overlook the offense as God often does for us. In chapter five Sande talks about
the progression of Idol. There are things that play into conflict and different needs that everyone
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has. Sande describes how when you want something that you are not receiving from a child,
spouse, or friends that you can turn to him for guidance and fulfillment. He also encourages
individuals to be careful with turning desires into demands. God wants us to stay grounded from
Idol and worship him instead.
Reconcile Sande’s approach to “rights” and “I” statements on p. 92 and 102–109 with Cahn & Abigail’s
list of rights on p. 83. Are these two approaches compatible with each other? Write no more than a ½
page.
I don’t think these two approaches are completely compatible with each other but I think that
they both are interesting and important. Sande talks about using I statements to your benefit such as “I have
rights, so he needs to be punished”. Sande talks about how God forgives us for mistakes and how we can
turn I statements into positivity to grow through God. Chan and Abigail talk about rights and how you
should observe if you are respecting other people’s right when communicating with them.
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