The competence model of communication is based on two elements:

Question

appropriateness and effectiveness. Define appropriateness and effectiveness. Then provide three examples of conflict communication: 1) where one party is appropriate, but not effective; 2) where one party is effective, but not appropriate; 3) where one party is both effective and appropriate.

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

A competence based approach to conflict includes the elements of appropriateness and effectiveness. Appropriateness consists of following relevant rules, norms, and expectations for relationships and specific situations. Effectiveness is determined by how successful one is in achieving his/her goals.

In conflict, there are times when an individual is appropriate, but not effective. For example, an individual might ask their neighbor very politely to please turn the stereo down because it is playing very loudly. The neighbor might then laugh in their face and turn the volume even louder. In this case, the individual was appropriate, but did not accomplish the goal of lowering the volume.

One can also be effective, but not appropriate. For example, an individual might threaten to fire an employee if they did not go out on a date with them. If the employee agrees to the date, then the individual is effective in getting what he/she wanted, but not appropriate in using the employees job as a threat.

In competence based communication, both appropriateness and effectiveness are needed. For example, if an individual asks a friend politely to please borrow five dollars for the week, promising to pay the money back, and the friend agrees then the individual was both appropriate (in meeting relational and contextual norms) and effective (in getting the five dollars).