Interpersonal Conflict and Family Dynamics

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to interpersonal conflict and family dynamics.

Interpersonal conflict

A process that occurs when family members perceive incompatible goals, scarce resources, or interference in achieving their goals.

Antagonistic discourses

Opposing views that are confrontational and competitive.

Non-antagonistic discourses

Opposing views discussed collaboratively, allowing for dialogue and negotiation.

Deep disagreements

Clashes on fundamental values, beliefs, or norms, making resolution difficult.

Family Conflict Factors

Family roles, communication patterns, power dynamics, emotional climates, and family history.

Two Dimension for Conflict Management

Assertiveness and Cooperativeness

Competitiveness

A conflict style characterized by high assertiveness and low cooperativeness; pursuing one's own concerns at the other's expense.

Collaboration

A conflict style that is both high in assertiveness and cooperativeness, working together to find a mutually satisfying solution.

Compromise

A conflict style demonstrating moderate assertiveness and cooperativeness, finding a middle ground.

Accommodation

A conflict style marked by low assertiveness and high cooperativeness; neglecting one's own concerns to satisfy the other person's needs.

Avoiding

A conflict style characterized by low assertiveness and low cooperativeness; sidestepping or withdrawing from the conflict.

Six Stages of Ongoing Conflict

Prior conditions, Frustration awareness, Active conflict, Solution or non-solution, Follow-up, Resolution

Frustration Awareness

The stage where individuals recognize that a conflict exists and acknowledge the emotional impact it has on them. This awareness often propels them to confront the underlying issues.

Prior Conditions

The factors or circumstances that set the stage for conflict to arise, including past experiences, unmet needs, or communication issues.

Active Conflict

The phase where individuals engage directly in disagreement or struggle, often involving heightened emotions and communication breakdowns.

Solution or Non-Solution

Refers to the outcomes of a conflict resolution process, where a solution effectively resolves the issue or a non-solution leaves the conflict unresolved.

Followup

A process or action taken after a conflict resolution to ensure understanding, address lingering issues, or assess the effectiveness of the solution.

Resolution

The final stage in conflict resolution where an agreement is reached, allowing parties to move forward positively.

Demand-withdrawal patterns

A cycle where one partner demands or criticizes while the other withdraws, escalating conflict.

Serial arguments

Recurring conflicts about the same issue over time, often without resolution.

Gottman’s Conflict Types

Validating couples, volatile couples, and conflict avoiding couples.

Validating Couples

Couples who communicate openly and validate each other's feelings, often working towards compromise.

Volatile Couples

Couples who engage in intense disagreements, characterized by passion and high emotional expression, yet maintain a strong connection.

Conflict Avoiding

Couples who prefer to minimize conflict by avoiding disagreements, often prioritizing harmony over addressing issues.

Criticism

Attacking a person's character or personality rather than addressing specific behaviors or issues.

Contempt

Criticism with the intention to insult and psychologically abuse the other person, can be verbal or nonverbal.

Defensiveness

Responding to perceived attacks by shifting blame or making excuses instead of addressing the issues raised.

Stonewalling

Refusing to engage or communicate during a conflict, often leading to emotional withdrawal and breakdown in discussions.

Gottman's 4 Horsemen

Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling.

Developmental changes

Shifts in family structure, roles, and communication as family members age.

Independent life stage

A period where young adults leave home and seek autonomy.

Marriage changes

The negotiation of shared roles and communication styles following marriage.

Young kids (family stage)

A stage characterized by high energy demands and emphasized nurturing roles.

School-age (family stage)

A stage focused on structure, rules, and school engagement.

Adolescents (family stage)

A stage where greater autonomy and boundary renegotiation occur.

Midlife (family stage)

A stage involving launching children, career shifts, and aging parents.

Golden years (family stage)

A stage marked by retirement, health challenges, and reflection on family legacy.

Unpredictable stresses

Unplanned events that disrupt family life, such as job loss or illness.

Strains

Ongoing tensions that erode relationships over time.

Stressors

Discrete events that create tension.

Crises

Events that overwhelm a family's normal coping mechanisms.

Stages of Family Crisis

Shock, Recoil, Depression, Reorganization

Shock

The initial emotional response to a crisis that creates disbelief and confusion.

Recoil

The phase following shock, where family members express emotional distress and often seek to regain equilibrium.

Depression

The stage where family members experience profound sadness and despair, often feeling overwhelmed by the crisis's impact.

Reorganization

The phase in which family members gradually adapt to the new reality, finding ways to cope and redefine their relationships and roles after a crisis.

Social Support

Emotional, informational, and instrumental assistance provided by family and friends to cope with stress or crises.