Communication, Defensiveness and Conflict

IDevice Icon Description

The way we confirm or disconfirm the other person can send messages about whether we respect or disrespect their identity--who they are and how they want to be treated.

When we feel that others are threatening our identity, we engage in defensive behavior to protect our self image. 


iDevice icon Reflection

Think of a recent situation where you felt you were becoming defensive in a conversation. Why were you feeling threatened?

iDevice icon Describe
What was the other person saying or doing that made you defensive?

iDevice icon What did you do?

What did you say or do in return?

iDevice icon What was effect?
How did these behaviors affect the conflict?

Continue to the next section, Defensiveness, Interdependence and Conflict.

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