Sociology: Interpersonal Conflict, Communication, and Strategies

This sociology essay explores the dynamics of conflict and communication, focusing on interpersonal conflicts arising from communication breakdowns and differing perceptions. It highlights Hammond's theoretical perspective on cognitive clashes and discusses how communication behaviors like withdrawal, contempt, and disinterest can escalate conflicts. The essay proposes strategies for conflict resolution, emphasizing the development of interpersonal and communication skills, and active listening. It also examines the impact of conflicts on face-to-face, virtual, and in-group interactions, noting how communication behavior and individual differences affect relationships. Effective communication strategies are suggested for various modes, including email, online conversations, and group settings, stressing the importance of clarity, lucidity, and active engagement. This student-contributed assignment is available on Desklib, a platform offering a wealth of study resources, including past papers and solved assignments.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
Sociology
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1SOCIOLOGY
Conflict and Communication Behaviour
Conflict can be defined as the various problems that arise between individuals during
the process of interpersonal communication or due to the clash in the interest or temperament
of the persons concerned (Martinez-Corts et al., 2015). Hammond had developed a
theoretical perspective on the aspect of interpersonal conflicts. Hammond chiefly focussed on
the view that interpersonal conflicts are the result of clash in the cognitive faculties and
perceptions (Crossfield & Bourne, 2018). This can explain the nature of the various
conflicts.
Certain improper behaviour during the process of communications can lead to the
generation of interpersonal conflicts. Communications behaviour such as sudden withdrawal
from the ongoing communication can yield an overall negative impact upon the speaker and
lead to the rise in conflicts. In addition to this, the behaviour of expressing verbal or non-
verbal contempt for the other person during the process of communication can impede the
process of proper communication and create conflicts of interests. Further, the
communication behaviour of expressing sheer disinterest during the process of conversations
can lead to the generation of interpersonal conflicts (Wood, 2015).
Strategy
In order to reduce and resolve the generation of conflicts, the prominent strategy of
developing the interpersonal skills. This strategy will help in the resolution of conflicts by
enabling the participants to skilful conversation tactics that can help in the resolution of the
conflict. Employment of proper skills can assist to search for concrete remedies. The second
strategy of developing proper communication can reduce the cases of conflicts. Proper
communication skills can reduce the development of conflict because correct communication
without any incorrect gesture or concealment of facts can help in reducing conflicts.

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To reduce interpersonal conflicts, it is important to adopt the strategy of active
listening (Mazzei, 2014). Active listening can assist in the resolution of interpersonal
conflicts because actively listening to the viewpoints of both the parties can enable the parties
to negotiate with each other to reach at a common point. Active listening can also enable the
participants in actively gauging the subtle areas.
Impact of conflict
In face-to-face interactions, conflicts can affect relationship building because it affects
the proper and correct interactions between the parties. In virtual and cyber communication,
conflicts can create the generation of half-truths and miscommunication amongst the parties
(Liu & Weber, 2014). In-group communication, conflicts can impede relationship building
amongst the participants.
Communication behaviour affects interpersonal relationships because improper
behaviour during communication impedes the perpetration of positive relationships. Improper
behaviour patterns can affect the process of interpersonal communication by breaking down
the entire process of conversations.
Individual differences such as differences in perception, receptivity and individual
participation interest affects interpersonal communication because differences in these factors
take a toll on the process due to varied perspectives.
Effective Communication strategies
To achieve effective communication, it is important to develop the skill of
communication by indulging in communication activities. To communicate effectively in
email or online conversations, it is necessary to communicate or type in clear terms stating
each idea in a lucid manner. For effective group communication, it is essential to interact

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with each member to gauge the prevalent temperament (Thomson et al., 2015). For effective
interpersonal communication to occur it is crucial to develop the faculty of effective
communication skills. To communicate effectively in various modes and formats, it is
essential to learn the art of effective communication.

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References
Crossfield, D., & Bourne, P. A. (2018). Management of interpersonal conflict between
principals and teachers in selected secondary schools in Bermuda. Insights
Anthropol, 2(1), 90-104.
Liu, Z., & Weber, I. (2014, November). Is Twitter a public sphere for online conflicts? A
cross-ideological and cross-hierarchical look. In International Conference on Social
Informatics (pp. 336-347). Springer, Cham.
Martinez-Corts, I., Demerouti, E., Bakker, A. B., & Boz, M. (2015). Spillover of
interpersonal conflicts from work into nonwork: A daily diary study. Journal of
Occupational Health Psychology, 20(3), 326.
Mazzei, A. (2014). Internal communication for employee enablement: Strategies in American
and Italian companies. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 19(1),
82-95.
Thomson, K., Outram, S., Gilligan, C., & Levett-Jones, T. (2015). Interprofessional
experiences of recent healthcare graduates: A social psychology perspective on the
barriers to effective communication, teamwork, and patient-centred care. Journal of
interprofessional care, 29(6), 634-640.
Wood, J. T. (2015). Interpersonal communication: Everyday encounters. Nelson Education.