Question 2- Non process view of communication

        I tend to avoid conflict in all of my relationships. If conflict arises, I usually shut down, because I feel uncomfortable. The book talks about one of the processes being unchanging. And I would like to say that I am one to give people second chances, and hope that they could change their life, especially if going down the wrong path. The book also brings up an interesting point on page 21, about “failing to see conflict as a process explains why some people are not interested in learning how to manage it”. I think that a lot of people, including myself act this way.

       I can change my ways in multiple ways. I need to learn that people can change. People tend to make mistakes, that is how you learn, making mistakes could lead to conflict but that in-turn could lead to resolutions that help relationships and help make people stronger. I also need to learn how important communication is, not just on my end, but listening and taking in others emotions, and/or opinions as part of my communication skill.

Question 3- Discussion

I thought the topic on Conflict being necessary for our growth in our relationships was interesting. At first, I thought this idea was crazy. However, I thought about my own life and how conflict has helped me develop and thought about my old job. I was a manager at Bare Escentuals, and there was constantly conflict with customers, employees, time management etc. While in the moment this was all stressful it helped me grow as a person, because I was able to solve this issues better each time a new issue arrived. I saw conflict as a challenge, which was the books way of looking at conflict, through a positive view. I like how the book talked about conflict as a way to improve our communication skils. On page 16, it states that, “communication isn’t something we do to the other person, but something we do with one another(like teamwork)”. We have to communicate in conflict situations in order to resolve our issues. Thus, conflict makes our communication skills better, by reaching a common goal with one another.  

Chapter 1- Introduction to the Study of Conflict

         I think that as humans we have an instinct for conflict. I feel that conflict is an inborn trait. Conflict makes us more of a human, because it allows us to improve our relationships with people, by stopping, thinking and listening before we communicate. The issue I had with the reading, is that conflict isn’t always necessarily good, but the book makes you see conflict as being productive and not negative. The book suggest that, we take a more positive view on conflict, because “conflict is here to stay”(Pg. 15). As humans we are entitled to our own opinions about things, so not everyone is going to agree on certain topics which will lead to conflict.

         I think from a personal stand point, conflict in my personal relationships has made my relationships with my friends stronger. With my significant others, conflict has allowed us to open up to one another. So is conflict a valuable asset, not always, but I do feel that each conflict in our lives can be taken as a lesson to be learned from.

Introduce myself

Hello Fellow Classmates,
   My name is Brittany Bronsord. I am a senior at SJSU, but should of graduated last semester, but due to changing my mind a dozen times on my major I have some time left here at SJSU. My major is Communications with a minor in business.  This is my 5^th year at SJSU. I commute to school, which I dislike at times. I like taking online classes, because they fit into my busy life style however I have learned that they tend to be more work. You have to pay a lot more attention to detail that is for sure.
            I recently quit my job at Bare Escentuals and am now a nanny for multiple families. While I love doing makeup the retail hours were not ideal. I went to makeup school a couple of years ago and LOVE doing makeup. I do makeup for weddings, proms, etc..
            While im not being a nanny or doing makeup I love to bike, being outdoor (like a true California girl) and recently learned how to golf which  I have learned to like. I love sports. Thanks to my boyfriend I know more than I could of ever imagined about fantasy football, and fantasy Baseball. I LOVE to travel, mainly just weekend getaways. I went to Hawaii for the first time this summer and fell in love. If you haven’t been you must go. It is amazing, very relaxing, the people are so genuine, but it is expensive.
            Looking forward to talking to everyone in the class. Wish everyone the best of luck this semester.
 :)