“When disagreement gets ugly: Perceptions of bias and the escalation
of conflict.”
This article deals with how we perceive people who disagree with us as biased. The article coins the term “bias perception conflict spiral” which is that people who disagree with each other perceive each other as biased which leads to conflict and the cycle continues.
“Disagreement leads to perceived bias leads to competitive response leads to conflict
Important to recognize rationality and objectivity in opponent’s arguments”
- People generally view their opponents as biased and this perception can lead them
to aggression and conflict – in doing so they overlook personal biases - Opposing view points = self interested, personal affections, political, inability to
see things fairly - 2 conflict responses = cooperative and competitive (biases prompt this one)
- Study was conducted in two stages
1. First being a simple test of reading an opinion not knowing whether the person taking the test disagreed with it or not
(Proved more disagreement = more bias)
2. Second was the same opinion but skewed to differ from the person taking the test (Proved disagreement = bias)
3. Presented with two opposing opinions on a topic (test was to see if more bias was perceived in differing opinion)
4. Presented with two opinions based on topic, one argument rooted in facts, other biased (perceived biased argument as biased, reacted in a competitive rather then cooperative manner)
5. Read an opinion from earlier study which opposed their own and were asked to assess the bias present (proved bias is present)
6. Given a topic they cared about and an opposing view either rooted in bias or facts and were tested for cooperative or competitive response (bias = competitive, factual = cooperative)
7. Lastly, given a opposing opinion who was considered competitive and escalatory how would participants respond (Proved responses of aggression, viewing conflict as larger then it was previously, less hope for peaceful resolution and more bias in opponent)
“The power of talk: Who gets heard and why” Article take aways
Communication isn’t simply saying what you mean, its also about how you say it Communication functions on two levels:
- Idea Communication
- Relationship negotiation
From birth boys and girls learn different conversational rituals
Boys – focus on the status dimension (leader and followers)
Girls – focus on the rapport-building dimension (saving face)
6 elements of hearing
Hearing Attending Interpreting Evaluating Remembering Responding 
Collaborative Modes
Sequential Integrating writing: lead author writes and others propose edits and modifications
Sequential Single writing: writers assigned a portion of document, completes and gives to next member with last member smoothing out document
Parallel Simultaneous Writing: members prepare various parts, combine them at the end
Reactive Integrative Writing: everyone works on document all together (Google doc fetish)
“Group writing: Student perceptions of the dynamics and
efficiency of groups.” Article takeaways
- Relationship between student grades and perceptions of writing quality and
amount learned about group processes - No correlation between grades and perceptions of quantity of group work, person hindering group and whether the student enjoyed working in a group
Benefits and Disadvantages of Collaborative writing
Benefits of collaborative writing:
- Offers students chance work on analytical skills in social setting
- Gives students chance to participate in experiences that resemble those of
business world
Disadvantages of collaborative writing:
- Personality issues
- Work styles and schedules
- Not evenly distributed work load
- Domineering individuals
“Group writing: Student perceptions of the dynamics and
efficiency of groups.” Article takeaways Emphasis on process or final product?
The study suggests that perhaps more emphasis should be put on the process rather then the final product. Additionally it also proposed
- Group roles such as leader and recorder be established
- Group setting goals
- Instruction on proper group behavior and interpersonal skills
- Use group experiences to touch on time management
- Discuss the effect of varying personality types within a group
