Conflict Escalation Quiz

What is the definition of "conflict"?

• a serious disagreement or argument.

• a period in which there is no war or a war has ended.

• an agreement

How do you resolve conflict?

• Forcing your opinions on others.

• Looking for a solution.

• Winning a fight.

• Speak louder than them.

What should you do when resolving conflict? (Mark ALL that apply)

*HINT: there is more than one right answer.

• Communication

• Listen

• Forgive (or) Agree to Disagree

• Make a Snapchat about it.

Scene 1: Troy and Jenny have work to do over the weekend for a science project, but Troy doesn't do his task. Jenny yells, "I bet you just went out and had fun while I did my work!" Troy is angry. She didn't even ask why I didn't do it, he thinks. WHAT caused the conflict to escalate? (Check ALL that apply)

*HINT: There is more than one right answer.

• Not Managing Emotions

  (Losing your cool and not being able to calm down).

• Jumping to Conclusions

  (Not having enough information about a situation, but making a decision about it anyway.)

• Making Assumptions

  (Automatically thinking someone was trying to be mean.)

• Involving Others

  (When you involve other people, they can sometimes say and do things that make conflict worse.)

• Other

Scene 2: Troy starts yelling at Jenny: “You’re such a bad friend. I quit!” Jenny yells back: “You’re just trying to get back at me. You’re mad I didn’t hang out with you the other day.” What are the reasons for escalation? (Check all that apply)

*HINT: There will be more than one right answer.

• Not managing emotions

  (Losing your cool and not being able to calm down.)

• Jumping to conclusions

  (Not having enough information about a situation, but making a decision anyway.)

• Making assumptions

  (Automatically thinking that someone is doing it to be mean.)

• Involving others

  (When you involve other people, they can sometim
  es say and do things that make the conflict worse.)

• Other

Scene 3: Troy storms off. Later, he texts Jenny, saying she made him mad on purpose so she can stop being friends with him. Jenny shows the text to Andrea. Andrea texts Troy and tells him to stop being a jerk. Furious, Troy posts something negative about Jenny on social media. What are the reasons for escalation? (Check all that apply)

*HINT: There is more than one right answer.

• Not managing emotions

  (Losing your cool and not being able to calm down.)

• Jumping to conclusions

  (Not having enough information about a situation, but making a decision about it anyway.)

• Making assumptions

  (Automatically thinking they're doing it to be mean.)

• Involving others

  (When you involve other people, they can sometimes say and do things that make the conflict worse.)

• Other

Scene 4: Jenny and Troy’s friends start taking sides. Both Jenny and Troy start spreading rumors about each other. One day at lunch, they yell at each other so loudly that the principal steps in. What are the reasons for escalation? (Check all that apply)

*HINT: There is more than one right answer.

• Not managing emotions

  (Losing your cool and not being able to calm down.)

• Jumping to conclusions

  (Not having enough information about a situation, but making a decision about it anyway.)

• Making assumptions

  (Automatically thinking someone is doing it to be mean.)

• Involving others

  (When you involve other people, they can sometimes say and do things that make the conflict worse.)

• Other

Wrap-Up: Think about the social conflicts you’ve experienced or witnessed. What’s the most common reason those conflicts escalate? (Mark ALL that apply)

*HINT: There is more than one right answer.

• Misunderstanding:

  "When people don't get what someone really means, or they take things the wrong way."

• Lack of Communication:

  "When people don’t talk about their problems, they can hold grudges."

• Peer Pressure:

  "Friends might encourage someone to keep fighting or not back down."

• Not Apologizing:

  "When no one says sorry, people stay mad at each other, and the argument keeps going."

• Conflicts escalate because being kind solves nothing.