Week 16: D1

After reading Chapter 16 in its entirety, answer the following question: Why do you think people have such negative views of conflict?  Do you think that as people know more about conflict, they fear it less?   Why or why not?

I believe that a lot of people have such a negative view on conflict because of past experiences. Not everyone knows how to handle conflict in an ideal way and it is easy for relationships to turn sour because of it. Most of the time due to the bad past experiences, people will try to avoid the conflict, afraid that something similar will happen again. I know that many people do not like conflict because they see how the issue can be the beginning of ending a relationship they treasure. Also people do not know how to positively come up with an outcome when they are in a conflicting situation with others.

It is good for people to learn more about how to deal with conflict, or conflict issues in general. I think when people know more about conflict they will fear it less. I can see how people’s perspectives change once they learn how the outcomes of conflicts can be good for the relationship. I was one of those people who did not like to be involved with conflict, but once I have learn more about the subject I saw how beneficial conflicts could be.  

Week 16: D2

Summarized what you liked most and what you liked least about this class.  In other words, what were the strengths and weaknesses of this class?  Would you recommend this class to another student? Why or why not?

There were a lot of things that I liked in this class. One thing in particular I liked about this class was some of the materials we covered. I thought that it was very relatable since we all tend to get into conflicts with our relationships. I also liked the project that we had to do for the class. Even though it was a lot of work, it was fun to teach the concepts that I have learned.

One of the strengths of this class to me was that it was flexible; I was able to do assignments and quizzes on my own time. I guess a weakness of this class was the fact that we don’t really get to meet anyone in the class.

I would recommend this class to other people because I feel people can learn very practical skills. I also thought that a lot of students could benefit from the concepts I have learned and be able to try to solve their own conflicts. Professor Perez also made it super easy to be able to communicate with her, which was crucial in a class that meets online.

Week 16: D3

What did you learn over the course of the semester? Please give extensive detail. 

I think one concept that stuck out to me this semester was the communication options in conflict. It was so fascinating to me that it was something I talked about in my workshop. I saw how relevant these options were to myself and everyone else. I believe that we chose the options unintentionally as well. By seeing the table of the concerns and outcomes of each behavior was helpful as I saw how each approach showed what behaviors.  

Another thing I learned this semester was to rather resolve conflict with collaboration instead of a compromise. I used to always think compromising was the way to go since it looked ideal to have a mutual agreement. It is because collaboration seems to last longer than a compromise solution. After learning about the difference, I now strive for more of a collaboration approach.

All in all I learned a lot over the course of the semester. Many of the concepts were very practical as I applied them in my life.  

Week 11: D1

Going back to Chapter 10, answer the following question:  Do an Internet search using the terms forgiveness, reconciliation, and revenge.  What kinds of sites do you find?  Which term produces more sites?  Why do you think that is?

I used Google to make the search on forgiveness, reconciliation and revenge.

The first thing that came up for forgiveness was the Wikipedia link and after that it was a link to mayo clinic. Followed that was a bunch of articles ranging from NY Times to Psychology Today. As for reconciliation, the first link was to Wikipedia but it was reconciliation as a United States Congress term. Afterwards are links to sites that give the definition of the term. For revenge the first thing that shows up is the ABC drama. Even after that there were a lot of links regarding to the show.

The term that produces the more sites is revenge, in which according to Google with 60 million results. Forgiveness was right behind it with a little over 50 million, but reconciliation was around 11 million. One reason I believe that is the case is because of the television show, which added more result to the term. I also think a lot of people are having the revenge state of mind when they are in a conflict.  But as for credible results to the term, forgiveness is the winner. Through all the articles in my search I see how important forgiveness is to society.

Week 11: D2

After reading Chapter 12 in its entirety, answer the following question: When have false attributions you have made about another exacerbated a conflict situation?  Have there been times when making accurate attributions about the other has helped you? 

The attribution theory “states that people act as they do in conflict situations because of the inferences they make about others based on their behavior”.  Recently I got in a fight with a friend and during the fight I made an internal attributions towards him. I said that he was lazy because he didn’t finish his stuff on time. When I made it, it sparked his fire more because he did not like the comment I made about him from my judgments. But I soon realize it was because he was tired from all the other stuff that he was doing during the week, which caused him to not finish on time.

There are times when I do make the right attributions and it was helpful. It makes the other person see what I am noticing about them with the argument. For instance when I fight with my “older sister” I will point something out about her, like why she is acting the way she is or what she cannot admit. Once she sees that, she will confess what I said about her is true and we seem to solve the problem much faster. 

Week 11: D3

Pick one concept or idea from this week’s assigned reading and discuss it.  Be sure to relate the concept/idea to you personally by using examples from your life and/or experiences

I thought the idea of displaced conflict in chapter 12 was interesting. This happens when people direct their conflict towards the wrong person, because they are avoiding a confrontation with the appropriate person. We often do this on someone we feel “safe” with since we understand how this person will not get back at us and are patient with us. I think that this idea is very relatable because I often see it with others and myself. Often times I get mad with one of my best friends but I would not let the anger out on her. But instead I will release my anger to my parents or my other friends. I think I do this because I do not want to confront my friend in a fear of upsetting her and damaging the relationship. Another reason why I do it is because I know she is sensitive, if it is not a big deal I will just release my frustration to someone else. I know this is not the best solution but thankfully the ones who I displace the conflict on understand where I am coming from. 

Week 10: D1

After reading Chapter 9 in its entirety, answer the following question: If you are a member of a social networking website such as Facebook, think about the way you use it.  How do you present yourself?  What impressions do you hope people will get from reading your profile?  Have there been times people have posted something on your profile that you wished they hadn’t? 

I thought the idea of face is interesting, especially when it comes to it online. It is easy to portray someone online because we can gauge what we post about ourselves online for others to see. In recent years I became picky in the things that I would post on my Facebook or Instagram because I realized that I want people to know only certain things about me. It is also I don’t want to over share my life either.

I would like people to think I am a normal and fun girl on my Facebook and in all the other social networking website. Yes there are times when people post pictures of my past; like embarrassing middle school pictures that I do not want people to see. Also I do not like it when people post pictures of me at parties because I am friends with my bosses and co-workers on Facebook. I try to make sure what is posted online about me is presentable.