Conflict and Worldviews
Questions:
Answer each question individually, making connections and references to the textbook chapters.
1. Describe diversity-based conflict.
2. Please write as though writing a letter to a friend. Explain your worldview and how you believe your friend’s worldview to be. Identify some of the issues that you are likely to be in disagreement about. How can you and your friend create a space for disagreement within the friendship without simply walking around the topics all the time?
3. Please write an as though writing a letter to a friend. Explain an intractable issue you have experienced or observed and the steps that you took to try to resolve it. Demonstrate your understanding of the concepts in this chapter by advising your friend on how she/he might approachher/his own conflicts.
4. Describe work-life conflict.
Conflict and Worldviews
Questions:
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Describe diversity-based conflict,
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Write a letter to a friend explaining your worldview and their worldview including how to handle disagreements,
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Write a letter to a friend about an intractable issue and steps to resolve it,
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Describe work-life conflict.
Answer:
Q1: Describe diversity-based conflict
Diversity-based conflict arises when differences in background, culture, identity, or values create misunderstandings or tension between individuals or groups. The textbook explains that these conflicts often occur because people bring different perspectives and experiences into a shared space, and those differences can clash when assumptions or biases are present. For example, team members from collectivist cultures may prioritize group harmony, while those from individualist cultures may prioritize direct expression, leading to disagreements about communication style. While challenging, these conflicts can also be opportunities for growth, since diverse teams—when conflicts are managed constructively—often produce more innovative solutions.
Q2: Letter to a friend (worldview differences)
Dear Friend,
I’ve been reflecting on how my worldview shapes the way I see our conversations. For me, I place a lot of emphasis on collaboration and compromise, which the textbook describes as a relational approach to conflict. I think you view the world a little differently—you often seem to value directness and clear boundaries, which reflect more of an individualistic perspective. Because of that, I can imagine we might disagree about issues like politics, community responsibilities, or even how to handle conflicts at work.
But instead of walking around those topics, I think we can create a space where disagreements don’t threaten our friendship. The textbook suggests that active listening and perspective-taking are essential. So, if we approach each disagreement with curiosity instead of defensiveness, we can strengthen our friendship even when we don’t see eye to eye.
Your Friend,
[Your Name]
Q3: Letter to a friend (intractable issue)
Dear Friend,
I want to share with you an experience I had with an intractable conflict at work. Two colleagues had a long-standing disagreement about workload distribution that seemed impossible to resolve. At first, I tried to help them compromise, but it became clear that the issue wasn’t just about tasks—it was about underlying trust and respect, which the textbook explains often makes conflicts “intractable.”
To move forward, I encouraged both to engage in dialogue rather than debate. We used small steps: acknowledging each person’s concerns, focusing on shared goals, and creating clear agreements for accountability. While the conflict didn’t completely disappear, they developed a way to work together more constructively.
If you find yourself facing something similar, my advice is to slow down and look beneath the surface of the conflict. Sometimes, it’s not about the issue at hand but about unmet needs or deeper values. Approaching your own conflicts with patience and a willingness to explore those layers may help you find progress, even if total resolution isn’t possible.
Warmly,
