Sponsor
Portland State University. Department of Speech Communication
First Advisor
Larry Steward
Term of Graduation
Winter 1997
Date of Publication
1997
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech Communication
Department
Speech Communication
Language
English
Subjects
Interpersonal conflict, Intercultural communication, Conflict (Psychology), Communication
DOI
10.15760/etd.8201
Physical Description
1 online resource (51 pages)
Abstract
An examination of the discussion of conflict in general, interpersonal and small group communication texts indicates that the conceptualization of conflict theory in the U.S. is increasingly dependent upon three theoretical pillars: the qualities of ubiquity, utility and necessity. A critical, deconstructive analysis of these operational characteristics in relation to the actual human experience of conflict reveals that they are more appropriately associated with the essential condition of difference, rather than conflict, and the concepts of conflict and difference are generally conflated in U.S. communication texts. The synergistic interaction of a variety of specific cultural constructs can be seen as contributing to this condition.
Positing that elemental quality of difference, rather than conflict, is essentially ubiquitous, useful and necessary, the concept of conflict can be usefully reframed as being a widespread, but often optional, structurated response to particular perceptions of a specific condition of difference. Employing the 2 purposeful, overt recognition of difference as a necessary foundation for self-aware human existence and growth, a difference-based interpersonal communication model for the development of mutual understanding through increased empathy is described.
Rights
In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
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Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/39783
Recommended Citation
Gieseking, James Arthur Jr, "Conflict Is Optional, Difference Is Not : Toward a Difference-Based Approach to Interpersonal Communication" (1997). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 6347.
https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.8201
Comments
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