"Slow Down Your Neighbors" Conflict

Slow Down Your Neighbors

In this episode of Modern Family Claire has discovered a rouge neighbor in their suburban neighborhood who is excessively speeding.  Claire's husband Phil happens to be listing the rouge neighbors house. What I want to examine is the conflict taking place and the different styles of conflict that are used to broach and handle the situation. 

There are five main styles of conflict to know. Competing (win/lose)"My way", Collaborating (win/win)"Our Way" , Avoiding (lose/lose) "No Way, Accommodating (lose/win) "Your Way" and Compromising (lose/lose) "Half Way".  (Interpersonal Conflict; 8th ed) 

How Claire is dealing with this conflict initially is competing. She has a high concern for self (family) and now concern for others (speeding neighbor). This can sometimes turn into a "crazymaker" or someone who is passive aggressive in the manor of handling  conflict. 

The conflict style model is something that you should consider. How do you handle conflict?

I think in close relationships especially you always hear about compromising. Why would you want to each give something up? I would encourage couples to look at collaborating. This method requires neither party to give up what is desired in the efforts to join together two different wants or needs.