Understanding Conflict
Conflict isn't always negative. Name one way it can actually help relationships grow.
What is building understanding, improving communication, or strengthening trust?
Why are "I-statements" more effective than "You-statements"?
They focus on feelings and responsibility instead of blame, reducing defensiveness.
What is one benefit of walking away briefly from a conflict before coming back?
What is cooling down, preventing impulsive reactions, or thinking clearly?
What makes bullying different from everyday conflict?
What is bullying is repeated, intentional, and involves a power imbalance?
Your friend wants to copy your homework. What is a way to respond that respects your friendship AND your values?
What is offering to study together, explaining why you don't want to share the answers, etc.?
This happens when people misinterpret each other's intentions or words.
What is a misunderstanding?
What's one risk of relying on nonverbal communication in conflict?
What is it can be misinterpreted or unclear?
How is compromise different from collaboration?
What is compromise splits the difference, collaboration creates a new solution together?
Why might a bystander choose not to intervene in bullying?
What is fear of retaliation, wanting to fit in, or not knowing what to do?
Two teammates blame each other for losing a game. How could they resolve conflict constructively?
What is focusing on improvement, taking shared responsibility, or identifying teamwork strategies?
When someone avoids conflict completely, what long-term effect might that have?
What is resentment, problems piling up, or loss of trust?
How does tone of voice change the meaning of words in conflict?
What is the same words can sound respectful or disrespectful depending on tone?
Why might mediation be more effective than punishment in resolving conflicts?
What is it repairs relationships and focuses on solutions instead of blame?
What are possible consequences for the whole group or community if bullying isn't addressed?
What is fear, toxic environment, loss of trust, more bullying?
Someone makes a hurtful joke "just for fun." How might you respond without escalating the conflict?
What is calmly saying it was hurtful, using humor back, or pulling them aside later?
Explain the difference between escalation and de-escalation in conflict.
What is escalation makes the conflict more intense, de-escalation calms it down?
What makes assertiveness different from aggressiveness?
What is assertiveness respects both people's needs, aggressiveness disregards others?
Give an example of a win-win solution in a school setting.
What is sharing resources, alternating roles, or combining ideas in a project?
What strategies can an upstander use if directly confronting the bully isn't safe?
What is distract, support the target privately, report to an adult, or gather allies?
Your group project leader ignores your ideas. What's a respectful way to address it?
What is speaking privately, using I-statements, suggesting collaboration, etc.?
Give an example of how culture or background might influence how someone approaches conflict.
What is communication styles, direct vs. indirect approaches, different values, etc.?
Give an example of when silence might be a powerful communication tool in conflict.
What is when giving space for someone to calm down, showing listening, or avoiding escalation?
Why is empathy considered a problem-solving skill, not just a "feeling?"
What is it helps understand perspectives, anticipate reactions, and create fair solutions?
Why is silence often seen as supporting the bully, even if the bystander "does nothing?"
What is silence allows the behavior to continue and signals acceptance?
You notice a classmate being excluded repeatedly from group activities. What is one action you could take as an upstander?
What is inviting them to join, confronting exclusion, or talking to the group/adult?