George is a Debate Society member and he likes sports a lot. When in an argument with Shelley, he argues his case forcefully and clearly in order to come out ahead. We could say that George uses: Select one: a. win-win conflict style b. win-lose conflict style c. empathy d. lose-lose conflict style
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is b. win-lose conflict style.
In a win-lose conflict style, one person aims to prevail over the other by using forceful arguments, dominating the conversation, and prioritizing personal victory. This style is competitive, where the focus is on winning the argument, sometimes at the expense of the relationship or the other person’s point of view. In George’s case, his approach of arguing forcefully and clearly to come out ahead demonstrates this style. He is likely focused on ensuring that his perspective dominates the conversation, leaving little room for mutual agreement or compromise.
This contrasts with other conflict styles. A win-win style would involve both parties working towards a solution that benefits both sides. The lose-lose style refers to situations where neither side wins or both sides end up unsatisfied, often due to compromise or lack of engagement. Empathy, on the other hand, involves understanding and sharing the feelings of another person, which is not the case with George, as he is more focused on winning than understanding the other person’s viewpoint.
In competitive conflicts, such as those seen in debates or arguments where participants aim to outmaneuver each other, the win-lose style is most common. George’s behavior aligns with this style, as he prioritizes a clear victory over any shared understanding or mutual benefit.