Contentious Tactics and Conflict Escalation

Overview/Description
 This course will familiarize the learner with contending, one of the most important bilateral strategies used in conflict situations. Why do people contend? What are the contentious tactics commonly used? You will learn how to recognize them and cope with them. The course also helps you understand conflict escalation, how to cope with it and what are the psychological changes caused by unresolved conflicts. At the end of the course you will be able to deal with conflict situations in a cool and composed manner and find better, more positive solutions.

Target Audience

Expected Duration
2.5 hours

Lesson Objectives:

Three Simple Contentious Tactics

  • recognize the importance of understanding three simple contentious tactics.
  • choose the right coping strategy in a situation where ingratiation is being used.
  • choose the correct coping strategy in a situation where persuasive argumentation is used as a contentious tactic.
  • identify the advantages and disadvantages of using promises as a contentious tactic.

    • Dealing with Gamesmanship

  • recognize the value of identifying gamesmanship in a given conflict situation.
  • choose the best coping strategy when confronted with one-upmanship as a contentious tactic.
  • choose relevant coping strategies in situations where manipulation is used as a contentious tactic.

    • Handling Threats and Irrevocable Commitments

  • recognize the value of understanding heavy or severe contentious tactics.
  • recognize the advantages and disadvantages of using threats as a contentious tactic in a given conflict situation.
  • choose the right coping strategy when dirty tactics are used on them.
  • cope with irrevocable commitments when used as contentious tactics in a given situation.

    • Conflict Escalation

  • recognize the value of understanding the process of conflict escalation.
  • identify the levels of conflict escalation in a given situation.
  • recognize signs of psychological changes during the process of conflict escalation.

    • Course Number: MGMT0222