Chapter 14:

Question 1

Predisposing Conditions

Answer 1

Many conflicts are rooted in underlying or pre-existing conditions, which set the stage for the occurrence of tension between partners - called predisposing conditions.
- includes personal, relational, and environmental factors
- e.g., high levels of effectivity, rejection sensitivity, attachment anxiety = increased risk of conflict
- e.g., patterns having incompatible-highly valued goals, holding dissimilar and strongly held attitudes, values, and preferences, enacting incompatible behaviour patterns (e.g., night owl vs. early bird), environmental stress = increased of conflict
- must be activated by an initiating event

Question 2

Initiating Event

Answer 2

Four classes of events tend to precipitate conflict:
- Criticism
- Illegitimate demands
- Rebuffs
- Cumulative Annoyance

Question 3

Initiating Event: Criticism

Answer 3

Verbal or nonverbal acts by one partner that are perceived as demanding or unfavourable by the other partner.
- For e.g., father asks son “is that what you are wearing to school?” regardless of whether he meant the comment to be critical, as long as the son interprets it to be criticism

Question 4

Initiating Event: Illegitimate Demands

Answer 4

Demands made by one partner that are perceived as unjust or unfair by the other partner.
- i.e., demands that fall outside of the common or normative expectations might be perceived as unjust and spark conflict

Question 5

Initiating Event: Rebuffs

Answer 5

When one partner appeals