Conflict Management Trivia 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which conflict resolution process involves a neutral third party who has the authority to impose a binding decision?
- Mediation
- Negotiation
- Arbitration (Correct answer)
- Conciliation
Correct answer: Arbitration
In arbitration, a neutral arbitrator hears both sides and makes a decision that both parties must accept.
Question 2: The 'lose-lose' outcome in conflict is most commonly associated with which style?
- Competing
- Compromising
- Avoiding (Correct answer)
- Collaborating
Correct answer: Avoiding
Avoiding often produces a lose-lose outcome because neither party addresses or resolves the underlying issue.
Question 3: Which concept describes the tendency for small, unresolved conflicts to escalate into major disputes over time?
- Conflict spiral (Correct answer)
- Attribution error
- Groupthink
- Social loafing
Correct answer: Conflict spiral
A conflict spiral occurs when each party responds more intensely than the last action, escalating the conflict.
Question 4: In workplace conflict, 'positional bargaining' refers to:
- Negotiating based on job titles
- Each side stating fixed demands and refusing to budge (Correct answer)
- Arranging seating positions during mediation
- Prioritizing high-level executives in disputes
Correct answer: Each side stating fixed demands and refusing to budge
Positional bargaining involves parties locking into stated positions rather than exploring underlying interests.
Question 5: Which of the following is a key characteristic of a conflict that has become 'institutionalized'?
- It involves government agencies
- It has become embedded in formal rules or norms (Correct answer)
- It was resolved in a courtroom
- It involves only senior leadership
Correct answer: It has become embedded in formal rules or norms
An institutionalized conflict is one that has become part of the accepted structure, policies, or culture of an organization.
Question 6: The 'dual concern model' of conflict resolution assesses two dimensions: concern for self and concern for:
- The organization
- The future
- Others (Correct answer)
- Rules
Correct answer: Others
The dual concern model evaluates conflict styles based on how much a person cares about their own outcomes versus others' outcomes.
Question 7: Which conflict type is generally considered most beneficial to organizational performance when kept at moderate levels?
- Relationship conflict
- Process conflict
- Task conflict (Correct answer)
- Interpersonal conflict
Correct answer: Task conflict
Moderate task conflict can improve decision quality by encouraging critical thinking and diverse perspectives.
Conflict Management Trivia 3
Which conflict resolution process involves a neutral third party who has the authority to impose a binding decision?