Transforming Conflict through Communication in Personal, Family, and Working Relationships
Contributions by Starla Anderson, Maria Blevins, Teresa Blevins, Ian M. Borton, Ross Brinkert, Amanda Smith Byron, Phillip Glenn, Kimberly K. Harp, Brian L. Heisterkamp, London Hill, Gwen Hullman, Jessica Katz Jameson, Peter M. Kellett, Rachel Markowitz, Thomas G. Matyók, Joy Meeker, Claire Morledge, Gregory D. Paul, Elizabeth A. Pitts, Samantha Rae Powers, Linda L. Putnam, Lisa Raser, Sarah E. Riforgiate, Roy Schwartzman, Diane Sherlip, Tasha Souza, Mary Adams Trujillo, Nancy Vizenor, Lynne M. Webb Edited by Peter M. Kellett, Thomas G. Matyók
Publication date:
15 November 2016Length of book:
434 pagesPublisher
Lexington BooksISBN-13: 9781498515016
A transformational approach to conflict argues that conflicts must be viewed as embedded within broader relational patterns and social and discursive structures. Central to this book is the idea that the origins of transformation can be momentary, situational, and small-scale or large-scale and systemic. The momentary involves shifts and meaningful changes in communication and related patterns that are created in communication between people. Momentary transformative changes can radiate out into more systemic levels, and systemic transformative changes can radiate inward to more personal levels. This book engages this transformative framework by bringing together current scholarship that epitomizes and highlights the contribution of communication scholarship and communication-centered approaches to conflict transformation in personal, family, and working relationships and organizational contexts. The resulting volume presents an engaging mix of scholarly chapters, think pieces, and personal experiences from the field of practice and everyday life. The book embraces a wide variety of theoretical and methodological approaches, including narrative, critical, intersectional, rhetorical, and quantitative. It makes a valuable additive contribution to the ongoing dialogue across and between disciplines on how to transform conflicts creatively, sustainably, and ethically.
An important volume that once again demonstrates the immense value of a communication perspective on conflict. Throughout the chapters there are useful insights for conflict scholars, practitioners, and stakeholders.