COMS 560
JOURNAL ACTIVITIES 1-9
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 is a volatile explosive that needs to
be disarmed. The participants are Larry (the
bomb) and his wife (the bomb technician).
Perhaps a more conservative approach that
does not “poke or prod” the bomb. The
outcome needs to be to give Larry space and
take a more conservative approach to
addressing his problems instead of
continuously prying until he erupts.
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 a court trial with a couple as the
participants. Both parties must win through
compromise (both are guilty in the incident).
The outcome of this conflict is for both parties
involved to understand that they both
contributed to the problem, they are both
culpable in this theoretical crime.
Page 1 of 6
COMS 560
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 a financial struggle with the
participant being an individual and their
checkbook. They must keep themselves afloat
by making sound financial decisions through
cutting out the “wants” and keeping the
“needs.” They need to get rid of unnecessary
weight on the ship so it will not sink as fast.
The outcome is that there will be
understanding of how much weight this “ship”
can handle on future “journeys.”
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 conflict and emotions felt by the individual
feel like acts of nature in which they can’t be
controlled. Those involved have pent up rage
inside of them or “rowboat” in a hurricane
where they are continually dealing with the
same feeling and issues with no resolution.
Page 2 of 6
COMS 560
Journal Activity 2
Choose ONE of the following:
Cahn & Abigail 1 Think about it. p. 25, #,3,4,5,
Each person possesses his own sets of values, attitudes, principles, ideas, emotions and a whole
lot of other things that may differ from other people. A person being unique in his own way has an innate
tendency to have conflicts with others. Having conflicts regarding one’s own preference, ideas, or
attitudes with other people makes us all the more human. It just shows our capacity to think for
ourselves and decide for ourselves. Having the ability to express our own thoughts and emotions makes
it possible for us to create and strengthen relationships. Conflicts if viewed properly and handled
properly would help us become stronger and wiser individuals. It is like a double-edged sword that must
be handled properly for the bearer not to hurt himself in the process of wielding it.
It may be difficult for some people to view interpersonal conflicts in a positive way but It is not
impossible. For a person to be able to view it positively, one should be open to taking risks, and viewing
it as opportunities for one’s personal growth, strengthening of relationships, and finding the best road for
the majority. Based on my experience, the conflicts or disagreements that I have with my husband has
always ended up with the both of us coming into terms so that we can raise our children properly. The
outcome would be known that we both have our children’s best interest at heart and we try to fit our ups
and downs together so that we can give the kids a great family life.
Journal Activity 3
Cahn & Abigail 2 Discuss it. #2 p. 52.
The conflict strategy used in the narrative is avoidance/accommodation. The teacher allowed the
student to come into her class the first few times without saying much to him. Although his actions
continually annoyed her, the teacher allowed him to proceed when he stated that his activity could not
Page 3 of 6
COMS 560
wait. Upon his 3rdarrival the initiation strategy was used when the teacher let the student know that he
was disrupting her class with his loud presence.
Journal Activity 4
Cahn & Abigail 3 p. 74 Work With It. #1
A. Internal attributions
B. Internal
C. External
D. Internal
E. External
F. Internal
G. External
H. Internal
I. Internal
J. Internal
K. External
Journal Activity 5
Cahn & Abigail 4 Apply it p. 102 #4
A. Correctly stated
B. Incorrectly stated
C. Correctly stated
D. Incorrectly stated
E. Correctly stated
F. Incorrectly Stated
G. Correctly Stated
H. Correctly Stated
I. Correctly stated
J. Incorrectly stated
Page 4 of 6
COMS 560
Journal Activity 6
Cahn & Abigail 4 Apply it p. 102 #5
A. Goal statement specifying clear want
B. Goal Statement specifying clear want
D. Goal statement specifying clear want
E. Goal statement specifying clear want
H. Goal statement specifying clear want
Journal Activity 7
Cahn & Abigail 4 -Apply It - p. 102 #6
I feel frustrated and anxious when I have to wait and wait because I hate waiting around and wasting
time. I want to leave at the time we agreed.
I feel frustrated when I score lowly on my assignments because I don’t know what is expected of me. I
would like some help on how to improve my grades.
I feel angry at myself when we stay out too late and drink too much because it is bad for my health. I
want to get more sleep and cut back on my drinking.
I feel frustrated when I am the only one who cleans up this place because it’s unfair to me. I want to
receive more help.
I feel afraid when we have financial difficulties because I feel that I have failed. I want financial
stability.
I feel like I am always wrong when I tell my husband how I feel because he thinks I am always
exaggerating. I want to be understood.
Journal Activity 8
Cahn & Abigail 5 Work with it #1 p. 130 #1-5
1. Violence amongst family members can be difficult to deal with because of the sensitive relationships.
Before any violence occurred I would have a conversation with the family member to discuss our issues.
I would make sure my attitude was in control and that I did not use any threatening words or gestures. If
the conflict escalated to violence I would quickly remove myself from the situation to a safe area and
call the police.
2. To prepare for workplace violence I would practice situation awareness. I would be mindful of the
actions of my co-workers and those that enter my workplace. It is important to also watch what occurs
around job as well as within.
Page 5 of 6
COMS 560
3. When dealing with road rage within myself I try to stay calm and relaxed. I cannot control the flow of
traffic or what occurs on the road. In the big scheme of things it is a very small matter. If someone cuts
me off and I resort to getting upset it does more harm than good. Usually people get road rage because
they are late or in a rush. When I get road rage it shows me that I need to manage my time better and
depart at a proper time that allows me adequate time to deal with any issues that may arise on my
journey.
4. When dealing with a jealous partner I would wait until both of us are no longer upset and in a good
mood to talk about our issues. I would ask my partner what makes him feel jealous and what is causing
the jealousy. I would also make sure I clearly define my relationship with him and reassure him that
there is nothing to be jealous of because I am in a committed relationship with him.
5. Sexual harassment in the workplace should never be accepted and taken lightly. In dealing with this
conflict in the workplace I would approach the person at work in a public area so I am not alone with
this person but in a private enough space that people cannot hear our conversation. I would express that I
felt sexual harassed when said event happened. If I felt like this issue was not able to be resolved or felt
more comfortable alerting the company I would also contact Human Resources and my supervisor.
Journal Activity 9
Sande, chs. 4 and 5: Reflection paragraph
Chapter 4 discusses personal and attitude issues that play a major role in conflicts. Often times personal
issues fuel a conflict and further aggravate those involved. The initial argument can get lost amongst
those personal issues and must first be resolved before tackling the underlying personal issues. Each
party involved must first stop bringing in new issues to the current argument. The primary material issue
should be addressed first followed by the primary personal issues and any secondary issues. When
handling conflicts we must adjust our attitudes to the word of God. Five important principles to follow
when handling conflicts are: Rejoice in the Lord always, Let your gentleness be evident to all, Replace
anxiety with prayer, See things as they really are and Practice what you’ve learned. In chapter 5, the
discussion is how we must look within ourselves when trying to resolve conflict. Often times there are
desires that we want, when we do not try to acquire them in a responsible way they become idols.
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.
Sande’s and Cahn & Abigail’s approaches are compatible with each other because of the rights that each
one of us has. We all deserve respect in all of our relationships. The list also shows how we all are no
way obligated to act or feel a certain way and do things we do not wish to do. The basic communication
rights are compatible with Sande’s “I” statements because they indicate how we should handle conflict
when people do not agree with the stances we have taken.
Page 6 of 6
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
