#1.) The exchange between Suzanne and Jerry began because Suzanne used her perceptions of Jerry to link together what she believed happened. What led Suzanne to form her impression of Jerry? What should have Suzanne asked herself before she jumped to conclusions given her perceptions and impressions?
All along, Suzane has had the impression that Jerry cannot be trusted with money matters. Since Jerry does not save and keep his money as she does, she views Jerry as a spendthrift, someone who does not know how to spend and manage money. Also, with the little money they make at the salon, Jerry recently purchased a brand new sports car. Afterwards, she heard Jerry telling a lady at the salon that he needed another Job to augment his present income, so as to offset the bills incurred by his new car. She had stereotyped jerry, therefore the prejudice towards him.
Suzane should have asked herself if she really knew jerry to the extent of jumping to conclusions about him. Also, she should continuously remind herself that we all cannot be and act the same way. Our individual differences are what distinguishes us from each other and makes us who we are.
#2.) Stereotyping and focusing on the negative are two barriers to accurate interpersonal perception. Discuss these two barriers, giving specific attention to the case study and Suzanne’s use of these barriers.
Stereotyping is the act of fixing or generalizing ones views or beliefs about a particular person, group or race. This leads to categorisation, prejudices and generalizations. Suzane believed that since Jerry was a bad money manager, that he just acquired an expensive sports car and that she overheard him tell someone he needed another source of income, then was the one that stole the money.
#3.) There are five conflict styles that we discussed in class – avoidance, accommodation, competition, compromise, and collaboration. What is the conflict style of Suzanne, Jerry, and their supervisor? Can a resolution be reached if the conflict styles of the three main characters are not the same?
Suzanes conflict style is competition. This is so because from the case study, she stressed her position and opinions without considering Jerry's points of view or explanations If the student picks "C" jerry's style is accommodating. Here, Jerry seems to appease Suzane.
Also, in "D", Jerry's style is avoiding. He does not want to engage in conflicts with Suzane.mThe supervisor's style is both compromising and collaborating. He does not want conflict either as he overlooks the supposed theft and also does not indict anyone directly.
A resolution can be reached, though they all have different conflict styles. In as much as the supervisor is not keen on making a scapegoat out of anyone and Suzane’s excesses can be checked by the supervisor courtesy of the power he wields as the supervisor, Jerry is not naturally aggressive, and then a conflict resolution is in the offing.
#4.) How can power be used in a conflict to undermine accusations? How did Suzanne and/or Jerry use interpersonal power to influence or control each other or their supervisor?
In conflict, power is the ability to control events or the ability to influence events or people. It is a vital tool that determines the outcome of conflicts. In essence, power can be used in conflicts to undermine accusations , if the accused is superior in rank to the accuser. Also, through the accused person's response and conflict styles, power can be used to undermine accusations.
Suzane tried using positional power to influence Jerry and the supervisor. Her argument was that she could manage money well, that Jerry just acquired a luxury which had drained his pocket also Jerry was the only one near the vault when the money went missing.
The supervisor used personal power to undermine Suzane's accusations. This was possible because he was the boss and he was expected to resolve the conflict. Also, Jerry used personal power by not arguing with Suzane, but pretending that her accusations meant nothing to him.
#5.) Using specific examples from the case study how did Jerry and Suzanne use nonverbal messages to create meaning and augment the emotional implication of what was said? How might they have changed their non-verbal cues to reduce their conflict and communicate more effectively?
When the supervisor confronted Jerry in Suzanes's presence, he is astonished and monumentally surprised at the magnitude of the accusation. Though he does not say anything to Suzane, but his facial expression says it all.His face is snarled and angry, Suzane is terrified, she feels sorry and wished she had not said such a thing. The non verbal communication between them says it all. Jerry disapproves of what she said to the supervisor and follows it with a threat; Suzane immediately apologises and offers to make amends.
They could have changed their non verbal cues if they had openly talked about the issue in the first instance, if Suzane had voiced out her fears and asked questions, the issue would not have degenerated to that level.
