Conflict De-Escalation Techniques Flashcards
7 cards from real CART practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Conflict De-Escalation Techniques flashcards as text
A 'soft start-up' in conflict communication is primarily used to:
Answer: Introduce a complaint gently to reduce the likelihood of a defensive response
A soft start-up (Gottman) introduces concerns without blame or contempt, keeping the listener receptive rather than defensive.
Which de-escalation principle is reflected in the phrase 'agree to disagree'?
Answer: Acceptance of differing perspectives without requiring consensus
Agreeing to disagree reflects genuine tolerance of differing views and can de-escalate conflicts where consensus is neither possible nor necessary.
During a couples' session, one partner uses the phrase 'You always...' The therapist's de-escalating intervention should be to:
Answer: Help the speaker reframe it as a specific, observable behavior using 'I' language
Reframing generalizations ('always/never') into specific behavioral observations reduces defensiveness and keeps dialogue productive.
The de-escalation technique of 'strategic timeout' is most effective when:
Answer: Agreed upon in advance with a clear return time and purpose
A timeout pre-agreed with a specific return plan allows both parties to self-regulate without feeling abandoned or manipulated.
Nonverbal de-escalation cues that a therapist should model include:
Answer: Relaxed posture, steady breathing, moderate eye contact, open hands
Relaxed, open nonverbal signals communicate safety and regulate the therapist's own nervous system, which co-regulates the client.
When two parties in a conflict are both speaking over each other, the most effective de-escalation intervention is:
Answer: Establish a structured turn-taking rule and enforce it calmly
Structured turn-taking gives both parties assurance they will be heard, reducing the urgency to interrupt.
Which of the following best illustrates the de-escalation concept of 'finding common ground'?
Answer: Locating shared values or goals beneath opposing positions
Finding common ground means surfacing shared interests or values that both parties care about, which shifts the dynamic from opposition to collaboration.