Team 8 (Conflict over MAiD)
Description
Disclaimer - This scenario does not necessarily represent our true conflict management styles
or our personal positions on the issues discussed. This role play is for learning purposes only.
A group of friends is having dinner and a conflict arises over the topic of Medically Assisted
Death for Mental Health (MAID) as the sole underlying issue. Our conflict is brief but the
context of friendship mitigates a larger drawn-out scenario. Our role begins with Zeana, a
Politician, who brings a theoretical perspective behind agreeing with MAID and is highly
supportive of this new policy. Shannon who is a Social Worker and also has experienced the loss
of a previous partner and several clients to suicide is adamantly against this new policy. In terms
of dynamic network theory, Jerome is a conflict supporter because he agrees with Shannon at
first. Katherine who is a communications major helps facilitate/ mediate the conflict by
validating Shannon and drawing other perspectives into the conversation. The de-escalation
begins with her but is made possible because Jerome, who supports Shannon’s position is open to
hearing what others think. This helps allow persuade Shannon to do the same. The de-escalation
is further made possible when Ladan suggests we all regroup and aides in the regulation of
emotions being felt. Finally, Yohannes and Celine have more accommodating styles and might
not have otherwise been heard, but would rather continue to listen to everyone's opinion and
react if necessary.
In our assignment the disciplines and conflict management styles evident are:
Celine - Accommodating and Compromising
• Katherine - Collaborating
• Jerome - Compromising
• Ladan - Collaborating
• Shannon - Competing
• Yohannes - Accommodating
• Zeana - Compromising