The Episodic Nature of Social Confrontation

Abstract

In this chapter we report a research program focusing upon one aspect or form of confrontation that we call social confrontation. The domain of social confrontation consists of situations in which an individual perceives that another person has violated a rule or norm for appropriate conduct. The major thrust of the research program is to describe the patterns of interaction that emerge as one individual confronts the other and the other responds. Guided by the interactional view (Watzlawick, Beavin, & Jackson, 1967), we approach such conversations as negotiated enactments through which participants not only exchange turns but also mutually construct the purpose of their interaction. A description is offered of social confrontation as a particular kind of communication episode. The enactment of confrontation is described in terms of initiation, development, and closure of the episode. In addition, a social cognition perspective is adopted as we explore factors that influence initiation of the confrontation process. We report research on perceived facilitators and constraints on the decision to confront as well as a measure of confrontativeness that taps salient beliefs about self and confrontation that may predispose individuals to approach or avoid confrontation. Finally, we examine the goals of confronted and how individuals rehearse in order to maximize goal accomplishment.

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