Conflict Interview

Conflict manifests itself into many shapes and forms. According, to my family members, best friend, and partner, conflict is seen as a struggle or contest between individuals or parties for power. The struggle ultimately changes the status quo and brings about an imbalance in the existing situation. From the three interviews that I have conducted, I noticed that each one answered the questions depending upon the type of relationship I have established with them. However, from all three interviews I left feeling the same way; upset. My grandmother, best friend and partner were a lot more critically that I expected. They said things about how I deal with conflict that I personally would not see by looking through my own lenses.

While interviewing my seventy-five year old grandmother, Alberta Parker, I noticed that she answered all of my questions from a family perspective. My grandmother has often observed me during a conflict as someone who carries herself very calm, cool and collective. She believes that I give the opposing party the opportunity to be heard. But majority of the time I stand firm to my beliefs/views without taking into consideration the other party. During family conflicts that my grandmother has observed me in, she believes that I under react majority of the time. Instead, of just making my point clear, I would rather ignore the conflict and hopes that it will just pass by. Compared to a personal relationship with my partner; when then my grandmother believes that I compromise in more ways than none in order to maintain a health relationship and control.

On the other hand, while interviewing my twenty year old best friend, Brynton McGill, she answered the questions based on conflicts that she has seen me involved in, not ones directly concerning her. She as well saw me as someone that was very defensive. Although, I try to see things from another's perspective, I still believe that my way is the best way. At the same time, my best friend believes that I am very emotional during conflict, "You are always crying" (McGill Interview). Also, depending upon who I am in confrontation with many times will cause me to avoid it; especially if it is with my significant other. Lastly, my best friend believes that I often times allow the same conflicts to keep resurfacing. This is because I often times do not speak up enough and that