• Fosters healthy debate • Leads to better decision making • Spurs relationship growth

• Misunderstandings or errors of perception • Perceptions of unbalanced costs and rewards • Incompatible goals between partners • Provocation (the intentional instigation of conflict)

• Uncertain climates (at least one party is unclear, vague, tentative, or awkward about the goals, expectations, and potential outcomes of the conflict situation) • Defensive climates (the people involved feel threatened) • Supportive climates (offer communicators a chance to honestly and considerately explore the issues involved in the conflict situation)

• Escapist strategies (avoid direct conflict and are good for quick resolutions, but they may leave issues unresolved) • Challenging strategies (promote the interests of individuals who use assertiveness to get their own way) • Cooperative strategies (benefit the relationship, serve mutual rather than individual goals, and strive to produce solutions that benefit both parties)

• Focusing on the issues • Debating (probing and playing devil’s advocate) • Considering options and alternatives • Weighing and communicating the importance of the outcome • Reassuring the other party of the intent to resolve the conflict cooperatively