Thursday, January 30, 2020

Analyzing Personal Conflict Management Styles Essay Example for Free

Analyzing Personal Conflict Management Styles Essay Conflict management is the detriment of many teams or groups in accomplishing its goals. This is because most people do not understand the different conflict styles and how to apply the rules and principles associated with the style you may be dealing with. In this paper I will analyze three of the five management styles discussed in the textbook Communication in Small Groups. Avoidance and competition are two styles that I believe have the greatest effect on hindering a group or team from accomplishing its goals. Collaboration, however, is a style that I believe is most effective in assisting a team in attaining its goals. This is a style that I use not only in my professional life but also in my personal life and have seen the difference this style of conflict management makes on individuals who are approached with this technique. Avoidance, according to the Collins English Dictionary is â€Å"the act of keeping away from or preventing from happening. † This definition sums up the reason I believe that of the five conflict managing styles, this one is among the top reasons some teams fail at achieving their goals. Whether it is just that a person does not like confrontation, are afraid to voice his or her true opinions out of fear, or simply do not want to hurt another person’s feelings, the simple fact remains that the team may not be aware of everything they need to consider. They miss the opportunity to be more objective in reaching an educated decision on the goals the team is trying to attain. This can also lead to members of the team feeling as though a member does not care and give them reason to discount whatever input that member may have. It is important to remember that there are certain instances when avoidance is needed to move the team along. For instance if what is causing the conflict is something trivial that will not have an adverse effect on the ultimate goal of the team it is likely a good idea to avoid it. It may be also be a good idea to use this method temporarily to give a team time to gather their thoughts on an important issue they need to resolve, but cannot get certain members to be objective or reasonable because they are standing firm behind their point of view. Competition is a conflict management style exactly opposite of avoidance. This is a very confrontational style, which characteristics consist of forcefully persuading others that their position is the only correct position. A person who exerts this style in most cases seeks to win with the intent of another person losing. They want control and work to achieve it no matter what. This type of style is infectious to a team. It is hard for a team to work at attaining a common goal if the level of competition in the team is such that no one can agree. Competition often leads to unethical ways of trying to persuade others in the team like shouting, or even threatening. These types of behaviors lead to defensiveness and distrust as members may feel as if they are forced into a decision rather than arriving at a decision on their own. Again, just like with all management styles it is not always a bad thing to be competitive. When working as a team it is important to remember the goals of the team and be mindful that the actions taken are working toward that goal. No matter how right a person is individually, he or she must find a way to get the rest of the team to agree that their point of view is correct or the best action for the goal the team is trying to accomplish. Otherwise, they will accomplish nothing and alienate themself from the team. The other members of the team can again feel as if that member does not care about what is best for the team and discount his or her ideas as one sided. Of all of the conflict management styles, collaboration is the style that most researchers agree is the best for achieving the goals of a team. â€Å"To collaborate is to have a high concern for both yourself and others† (Beebe Masterson, 2009, p. 52). This common belief among users of this style drives them to search for answers using all of the tools at the team’s disposal. The different dynamics of the team become assets. They see the differences that distinguish the members of the team as points of view are respected and viewed objectively. Differences like a male versus a female’s perspective, race, culture, and even social or economic status are viewpoints that give all in the team a bigger picture of the different issues they may need to consider when coming to a conclusion about how best to achieve their goal. Though this style is thought of as the best route for teams to use, it is lso one of the most difficult. Even a person who has a natural talent or personality that promotes this style of conflict management has to practice to be effective using this style in a team setting. A person cannot be judgmental and must be sure not to take anything said personally. This is something that most if not all of the team members must have an awareness of. All team members have to feel comfortable with the results and with what was given up from their own personal point of view to arrive at the team’s decision. This style is also very demanding so it requires a good amount of patience. Depending on how quick a decision is needed it is not always possible for a team to achieve and some in the team may not believe that their best interests were achieved. I realized through this research that I am a person who naturally uses the collaboration style of conflict management in many areas of my life. In my relationship with my wife, I use collaboration as a way to strengthen our alliance in running our household. Feeling as if we are a team benefits the decisions we make for our family. Our children see us as united in our decision making. This is something we had to work to achieve and collaboration was the key to its success. We had a competitive style at first and our children would use that fact to split us up on decisions that we made pertaining to them. I could break that cycle by focusing on putting our ego’s aside. Our discussions were no longer about who was right or wrong. It was a process that started with accommodation to show I was willing to take the first step. That eventually grew into compromise, which is what most couples strive for. Finding a middle ground gives most couples the sense that they are working as a team. Collaboration, however, is the ability of that team not to find a middle ground, but actively work to agree and the best plan or action together by understanding and processing each other’s viewpoint to come up with decisions together. It is a style that comes in handy when training my children on the importance of being responsible and accountable for their actions. Collaborating on goals so that they are part of the decision-making process empowers them to believe they have control over what decisions they make. In my school and professional life collaboration has proven to be a way to drive for results. Team members work better when they are at ease in their decision-making, and everyone is comfortable with each other. Disagreements work themselves out with little stress because of the trust established through everyone’s willingness to collaborate on the goals set in place. Because the goals were set together, everyone has a vested interest in its outcome and most want that outcome to be a successful one. When I do encounter a person on my team with a conflicting style, I tend to take some time away from the situation to evaluate the best course of action for our progress. I take into account the level of importance our issue may have on our ultimate goal and what if any ethical issues are involved. Collaboration, though it is my favorite approach, is not always the approach I may use to resolve the issue. I am not one to avoid the issue entirely, but I have had to use accommodation, compromise, and even competition depending on what the issue is and what personality I am dealing with. In conclusion, you can see that there is no one way to manage conflict. I believe that being able to adapt to the different conflict styles will assist a person in overcoming conflict. Collaboration best supports a person who is adaptable and best supports a team’s objective because it focuses on the goals of the team by giving each person on the team’s needs equal importance.

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Ritalin: Abuse Essay -- essays research papers

Ritalin: A Miracle Drug, or Another Cocaine?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  If the term â€Å"Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder†(ADHD) is mentioned, the first thing that comes to many people’s minds is a drug called Methylphenidate, commonly referred to as â€Å"Ritalin†. Most people know Ritalin is prescribed for ADHD, and they most likely know at least one person who is currently taking it. However, in the 1960s, Ritalin and many other amphetamines were recognized as abusive substances, so many new controls were introduced to more closely monitor the prescribing of these drugs. Despite these new restrictions, the abuse and over-prescribing of Ritalin has re-emerged from the shadows.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One way the over-prescribing of Ritalin has emerged is its constant use for treating ADHD in children and adolescents. ADHD is a behavioral disorder and generally infects boys between the ages of six and fourteen (United Nations Warning on Ritalin, 1). Data shows that 10-12% of all boys in this range are taking Ritalin for the treatment of diagnosed ADHD. Since 1990, the number of people taking Ritalin has increased by 500%. As of now, the United States has the highest level of Ritalin use and production. Canada uses just under half of what the U.S. uses of Ritalin and no other countries have come close. 7-10% of the U.S.’s boys are on this drug, which is an overwhelming number compared to other countries around the world. As a result of this, the gover...

Monday, January 13, 2020

Legalizing Same Sex Marriage

Damien. Lorden Unit 3 Individual Project There are many cause and effects to legalizing same-sex marriage, whether they are beneficial or not depends on the situation at hand. It’s becoming more common in today’s society to be homosexual. Most of the older generations think that it’s something that shouldn’t be legalized, weather it is has to deal with religion, someone’s way of life or whatever else the case may be.Although on the other hand, the younger generations now are becoming more accepting of the thought of same-sex couples. Most young adults/teenagers think that same-sex marriage is acceptable; that everyone should have the right to be happy and love is love no matter what they are. Even though there have been some good bad explanations to why same-sex marriage shouldn’t be legal; there are also many reasons why same-sex marriage should be legalized. There are many benefits to legalizing same-sex marriage that most neglect to realiz e.According to Ramesh Ponnuru in â€Å"Coming out Ahead,† Ponnuru states, â€Å"three causes that change the public’s attitude towards same-sex marriage are sexual revolution, gay activism in the 1990’s, and the disappointment of social conservative organizations† (Ponnuru, 2003). He continues to state â€Å"it’s time for conservatives to take their cue from the New Jersey Nets, or maybe from those hard-luck kids, the Boston Red Sox† (Ponnuru, 2003). He explains how it’s time to accept the revolution and stop trying to use other problems to avoid the difference in lifestyles of the old days and face the new upcoming eras.The times are changing and so should the way the government compares the new rules and regulations of today to previous eras and generations. The way people think and live today are similar, but not the same to how we thought and lived back then. The technology, economy, government, and even schools have changed throu ghout time. If inanimate objects can change throughout time with rules and regulations changing based on their evolution, why can’t rules and regulation change based on era changes/evolutions?In â€Å"What Century Is This Anyway† Edmund White states how â€Å"his generation watched their families marry and with that, 1 out of every 2 marriages ended with a divorce† (White, 1998). With White’s previous quote it could be used as a statement to help benefit legalizing same-sex marriage because: with legalizing same-sex marriage it could help by increasing marriage rates and help with lowering or at least maintaining the divorce rate. â€Å"The first state to legalize same-sex marriage was the state of Massachusetts in 2004† (ProCon. org, 2013).This had lead Massachusetts to have â€Å"their divorce rate lowered 21% between the years 2003 and 2008 also resulting in the lowest divorce rate in the country in 2008† (ProCon. org, 2013). On the other hand, â€Å"Alaska was the first state to alter its constitution to ban same-sex marriage in 1998 causing an increase of 17. 2% in its divorce rate† (ProCon. org, 2013). â€Å"Between the years 2003 to 2008, the seven states with the highest divorce rating all had constitutional prohibitions to same-sex marriage† (ProCon. org, 2013). Most would think that divorce rates count for at least something in the government and economy today.On the gaymarriage. procon. org website is a list of pros and cons for legalizing same-sex marriage. According to one of the many pros listed, â€Å"same-sex marriage could benefit everyone by financial gain to state and local governments† (ProCon. org). Between â€Å"marriage licenses, higher income taxes (the so-called â€Å"marriage penalty†), and the decreases in costs for state benefit programs. The Comptroller for New York City found that legalizing gay marriage would bring $142 million to the City’s economy and $184 million to the State’s economy over three years† (ProCon. org). Same-sex marriage will also make it easier for same-sex couples to adopt† (ProCon. org, 2013). This would benefit the â€Å"US with the 100,000 children are waiting to be adopted, a longitudinal study published in Pediatrics on June 7, 2010† (ProCon. org, 2013). This study â€Å"found that children of lesbian mothers were rated higher than children of heterosexual parents in social and academic competence. The children also had fewer social problems† (ProCon. org, 2013). â€Å"Another study on July 2010 found that children of gay fathers were â€Å"as well-adjusted as those adopted by heterosexual parents†Ã¢â‚¬  (ProCon. rg, 2013) In conclusion, legalizing same-sex marriage can be a very beneficial thing for our government as well as the economy. With the change of times, generations and eras, it’s time to change the ways and views of traditional values. â€Å"Two people of the same sex who love each other should be allowed to publicly celebrate their commitment and receive the same benefits of marriage as opposite sex couples† (ProCon. org). â€Å"There is no such thing as traditional marriage† (ProCon. org). It’s time to except the revolution!

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Gender Stereotypes Essay - 1334 Words

Since the beginning of time, gender has played a big role in how one acts and how one is looked upon in society. From a young age children are taught to be either feminine or masculine. Why is it that gender plays a big role in the characteristics that one beholds? For centuries in many countries it has been installed in individual’s heads that they have to live by certain stereotypes. Women have been taught to be feeble to men and depend on them for social and economical happiness. While men have been taught to be mucho characters that have take care of their homes and be the superior individual to a woman. For the individuals who dare to be different and choose to form their own identity whether man or woman, they are out casted and†¦show more content†¦It is unfair that literature teaches women to be such things, it teaches women â€Å"To become women nurses rather than doctor, secretaries rather than attorneys or corporate executives, sex symbols rather than thin kers, elementary school teachers rather than university professors.† (Feminist Criticism 1132) In Jamaica Kincaid’s fiction short story â€Å"Girl† a mother is teaching her young daughter on how to society wants her to act as a female. She is teaching the young girl not to form her own identity and beliefs but to live by how others want her to live. The mother gives the daughter several rules to live by and suggests that if she doesn’t live by these rules she will become a slut. The setting of this story seems to take place in a Caribbean island. This shows that no matter what a female culture is, she is taught the same things like the rest of the world. The mother tells the daughter â€Å"This is how you iron your fathers khaki shirt so that they don’t have a crease; this is how you iron your fathers pants so that they don’t have a crease.† (Jamaica Kincaid 566) The mother is not teaching the daughter how to survive as an individual but how to survive and be accepted by a community that is more than likely ruled by men. Even though wo men have been oppressed for many years in many cultures, there areShow MoreRelatedGender And Gender Stereotypes1141 Words   |  5 PagesGender and race stereotypes are primordial. They have existed forever and are still prevalent in today’s society. The most prominent of these are feminine, masculine, and race stereotypes. With these stereotypes, it can easily be demeaning and make people feel trapped. Films, childrens books, literacy, and fairy tales often convey these stereotypes. Females have been seen as the lesser gender for years. Women are seen as weak, insecure, and dependent people. They are most typically portrayed asRead MoreGender Stereotypes : Gender And Stereotypes Essay1973 Words   |  8 PagesGender stereotypes emerge across time and throughout different cultures and typically they are ascribed to individuals in order to conform to sociocultural ideas and biological norms (Johnston Diekman, 2015). This behaviour is often influenced upon individual s in the earliest stages of life when a infant is not yet capable of expressing his or her own preferences in terms of gender identity, leaving the young child s parents and other adults to choose for them (Pomerleau, et al., 1990).Read MoreGender Stereotypes1352 Words   |  6 Pagesname of Tyler. I am a walking victim of Gender Stereotyping. 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