Acquaintance
Attach a word document with your Journal Entry explaining the following:
Think of a relationship you have with each of the following: Acquaintance, Friend, Close Friend/Intimate
For each of the three relationships, think of a conflict you have had with them and answer the following:
- What stage in the relationship were you during the conflict?
- How did you manage the conflict (Assertive, Aggressive, Passive)?
These answers should be well though out and in-depth. AT LEAST 1 page double spaced.
Answer:
Journal Entry:
Relationships are an essential part of life. Every individual has different kinds of relationships with different people. Some relationships are superficial and require minimal effort, while others demand more effort and intimacy. In this journal entry, I will reflect on three relationships, each with a different level of intimacy, and the conflicts that occurred within them.
Acquaintance:
The relationship I am reflecting on is with an acquaintance from my workplace. The conflict that occurred was related to a miscommunication that arose during a team project. We were in the early stages of our professional relationship, and I barely knew this person.
During the conflict, I realized that I was being passive. I did not assert myself or make my thoughts and opinions known. Instead, I allowed the other person to lead the conversation and didn’t speak up. Looking back, I understand that I was not comfortable enough in the relationship to be assertive. I let my discomfort dictate my actions, and it resulted in the conflict continuing longer than necessary.
Friend:
The second relationship is with a close friend from college. The conflict occurred when my friend borrowed some money and didn’t return it on time. We were in the middle stages of our friendship, and we had developed a deep level of trust and honesty between us.
During the conflict, I tried to manage it in an assertive manner. I spoke to my friend calmly, expressing my concerns about the situation and how it made me feel. I made it clear that the money wasn’t the issue, but it was the principle of the matter. We had developed a relationship of mutual respect and honesty, and I expected that my friend would be forthcoming with me. I felt that I could assert myself because of the level of trust and comfort that we had developed in our friendship.
Close Friend/Intimate:
The last relationship is with my partner. The conflict that occurred was related to a disagreement about future plans. We were in the later stages of our relationship, and we had developed a deep level of emotional and physical intimacy.
During the conflict, I tried to manage it in an assertive manner. However, my emotions got the best of me, and I became more aggressive than I intended. I raised my voice and became accusatory, which resulted in my partner becoming defensive. It was a learning experience for me because I realized that even though we had developed a deep level of intimacy, I still needed to be mindful of my emotions and how they impact my behavior.
In conclusion, conflicts are a part of any relationship, regardless of the level of intimacy. It is essential to understand where we are in the relationship, what level of comfort and trust we have developed, and how we should manage the conflict assertively without being passive or aggressive. Understanding these dynamics can help to prevent conflicts from escalating and damaging the relationship.
