Elements of Conflict-  This short paper is designed to (1) further your understanding of Wilmot and Hockers definition of conflict, (2) help you analyze these concepts in a real-life conflict, and (3) improve your competency in managing a conflict.
Process
First, identify a conflict that you have personally experienced recently or in the past.
Analyze your perception of the conflict using the definition provided in Chapter 1.
Expressed struggle: How was the conflict expressed? How often? Verbally? Nonverbally? Overtly? Covertly?
Interdependent parties: What binds you and the other person in the conflict together? In what ways do you need the other person? In what ways does he or she need you?
Perceived incompatible goals: What are you not getting from the other person in the conflict? What is the other person not getting from you?
Perceived scarce resources: Examples for these resources are time, money, affection, inclusion, etc.
Perceived interference from others in achieving those goals: In what ways are you interfering with the other persons goals? How is the other person interfering with your goals?
Analyze the other persons view using the five elements of a conflict. You can do this by (a) directly asking the other person in the conflict or by (b) making your best guess about how he or she views the conflict.
Write a three- to four-page paper (typed, double-spaced) in which you address the points given below.
Summarize both your view and the other persons view of the conflict.
Identify areas in which you and the other person could improve on to manage the conflict better.
Discuss the role of ones perception in the conflict.
Reflect on what you have learned by completing this process.
Reflect on what you have learned about this specific relationship and relationship enhancement in general.
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