Personal Conflict Management: Theory and Practice

by Suzanne McCorkle, Melanie J. Reese

Personal Conflict Management utilizes a modernized theory/skill approach to interpersonal conflict, placing equal emphasis on the theoretical and practical. Supporting the notion that there is not one correct approach to conflict management, and utilizing the authors’ shared experiences as mediators and organizational facilitators, this book demonstrates the value of collaborative models for resolving conflict and the necessity and benefits in understanding competitive approaches. Through the inclusion of both competitive and cooperative theories, the authors present contrasting perspectives of conflict management. Beginning with an introduction to conflict, the book examines the major approaches and theories of conflict management. Following a discussion of the causes and variables which exist within conflicts, the skills necessary for conflict management are analyzed, including listening, the ability to seek information, the importance of understanding personality types and behavior patters, negotiation, and conflict assessment. The final two sections of the book take the reader beyond the basics, exploring the difficulties encountered in conflict management, the aftermath to a conflict, and conflicts in context, applying the theoretical concepts to everyday situations.

360 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2009

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best textbooks I've ever read. The concepts are illustrated very well, examples are inclusive and diverse, and material seamlessly builds from one chapter to the next so that you are constantly revisiting and strengthening the foundation of your understanding. Which is obviously what all textbooks aim for, but in my experience over the years, few are as coherent and unified as this.

To anyone who enjoys this book and feels compelled to put its lessons into practice, I strongly recommend Thich Nhat Hanh's book The Art of Communicating, about mindful communication.

[Brady · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of common sense stuff in here. I would have liked a bit more theory. On the plus side, I thought the book was well-organized and clearly written.

[Alia Kunz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book and should be required reading in high school or freshman year of college. I have learned so much from this book and now have a greater understanding about the dynamics of conversation and how to appropriately handle conflict. There are a number of errors that will hopefully be fixed in the next edition.