due in 2hrs

Answer the following questions in short essay format and comment on other students’ answers.

For this week’s discussion board, each student will post a theory of how conflict arises. Your initial post will include at least the following: 

• Definition of the theory
• Description of its practical applications
• Description of its limitations
• Description of its explanatory power

Each student must submit a theory that has not been posted. This means you must monitor all discussion boards and not duplicate a theory.

The theories can come from the course text or from any empirical source. Non-empirical or non-peer reviewed references will not be accepted.

Please post your theory to the appropriate topic category within the discussion board:

• Topic 1: Interpersonal Conflict
• Topic 2: Group Dynamics
• Topic 3: Systemic Issues or Macro Conflict Issues (i.e., organizational structure, cross culture conflict, conflict caused by imperialism, power on a macro scale, etc.)

This is a conflict resolution course, and we are going to use this opportunity to engage in constructive conflict. The concern is not the resolution, but the process. You are required to post a minimum of two substantial response posts.  The substantial posts must include the following:

1. A direct challenge to a peer’s initial post. The challenge can consist of:

• Explaining why the theory is weak and heavily limited
• Demonstrate that there is a better theory out there in the literature to explain the same phenomenon
• Illustrate how the theory does not apply in the real world
• Get creative in your challenges

1. Empirical support and justification

• Do not simply say a post is bad. Articulate why it is bad or why the theory is not a good theory
• Even if you agree with the theory, play devil’s advocate and argue the other side!

1. Provide an alternative solution

• Describe an alternative solution to explain the social phenomenon
• Class, this is the beauty of a theory! As long as you accurately describe what the theory is and explain it… I will be grading you on your ability to justify your arguments with empirical support

Post your answer(s) to the prompt

• Post to Week 1 discussion board within any of the three topics
• Your initial post must have a minimum of 250 words of substance in the body of the post (which does not include the question or the references)
• Empirical references are needed to achieve an “A”
• Initial post is due Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET

Post your peer responses

• Reply posts are due Sunday at 11:59 p.m. ET
• Your substantial reply must be a minimum of 250 words (not including the question or the references)
• Empirical support is needed for an “A”

Additional information

• Your posts should be "of substance" and at least two paragraphs that address the topic
  • Your initial post must have a minimum of 250 words of substance in the body of the post
  • The written question and reference list are not included in the word count
• Use APA format for any quotations or citations you use to support your answer
• Only exceptional posts that utilize outside sources, refer back to the textbook or lecture material, engage in constructive dialogue, exceed minimum expectations, and show an in-depth understanding of the topic will receive 50 points; 45/50 is considered a very good grade