ADR Conflict Assessment & Diagnosis 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When assessing a workplace conflict, a neutral discovers that the dispute stems from unclear job role boundaries. This is best categorized as a:
- Interpersonal conflict
- Structural conflict (Correct answer)
- Data conflict
- Values conflict
Correct answer: Structural conflict
Structural conflicts arise from organizational design issues such as ambiguous roles, resource constraints, or reporting hierarchy problems.
Question 2: According to Moore's Circle of Conflict, which conflict type is most amenable to resolution through information sharing and joint fact-finding?
- Values conflicts
- Relationship conflicts
- Data conflicts (Correct answer)
- Structural conflicts
Correct answer: Data conflicts
Data conflicts arise from lack of information or different interpretations of data, making them most resolvable through information exchange and joint fact-finding.
Question 3: A conflict assessor identifies that two neighbors have escalated a minor property dispute into personal attacks over 18 months. This escalation pattern is best described as:
- Conflict reframing
- Conflict transformation
- Conflict ripening
- Conflict spiraling (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Conflict spiraling
Conflict spiraling describes the self-reinforcing escalation cycle where each hostile act triggers a stronger reaction, broadening and intensifying the dispute.
Question 4: In a pre-mediation assessment, which question best uncovers a party's underlying interests rather than their stated position?
- What outcome do you want from this mediation?
- Why is that outcome important to you? (Correct answer)
- What has the other party done wrong?
- How long has this dispute been going on?
Correct answer: Why is that outcome important to you?
Asking 'why' an outcome matters reveals the underlying interests, needs, and motivations behind a party's stated position.
Question 5: Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a 'pseudo-conflict'?
- Two business partners dispute profit sharing percentages
- Two coworkers argue based on a miscommunicated memo they each interpreted differently (Correct answer)
- A landlord and tenant disagree on lease termination terms
- Two nations dispute territorial boundaries
Correct answer: Two coworkers argue based on a miscommunicated memo they each interpreted differently
A pseudo-conflict is based on misunderstanding or miscommunication rather than actual incompatible goals; clarifying the misunderstanding resolves it.
Question 6: When assessing power dynamics in a conflict, which factor is LEAST relevant to a conflict assessor?
- Access to legal representation
- The parties' educational backgrounds as measures of cognitive power (Correct answer)
- Control over critical resources
- Ability to generate social or public pressure
Correct answer: The parties' educational backgrounds as measures of cognitive power
Educational background is generally not a direct measure of conflict power; relevant power sources include resources, legal access, coalitions, and social influence.
Question 7: An ADR practitioner conducting a conflict assessment should treat information gathered during individual caucuses as:
- Available to share with opposing parties to promote transparency
- Confidential unless the party explicitly authorizes disclosure (Correct answer)
- Public record that can be referenced in any subsequent proceedings
- Evidence to be provided to the arbitrator if talks break down
Correct answer: Confidential unless the party explicitly authorizes disclosure
Information shared in private caucus is confidential; the practitioner may only disclose it with the party's explicit permission.
ADR Conflict Assessment & Diagnosis 3
When assessing a workplace conflict, a neutral discovers that the dispute stems from unclear job role boundaries.
This is best categorized as a: