Strategic Conflict offers a research-based, accessible analysis of how people can manage conflict productively. Moving beyond the basics of conflict, it examines interpersonal situations in which conflict occurs and promotes strategic communicative responses based on the latest theoretical research. It provides students with the tools to understand conflict in real-world contexts.

Daniel J. Canary is Professor in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University and has previously taught at Penn State University, Ohio University, Cal State Fullerton, and Florida Tech. His research interests include conflict communication, conversational argument, relational maintenance behaviors, and sex differences and similarities in communication.

Sandra Lakey is Associate Professor of Communication and Composition and head of the Communication and Literature Department at Pennsylvania College of Technology. She previously taught at Lycoming College and C. S. Mott Community College. Her research interests include conflict communication, communication competence, and classroom communication.

1: The Need for Strategic Conflict

2: Seeking Strategic Control: Communication Strategies and Tactics

3: Maintenance and Conflict: a Dual Process View

4: Seeking Episode Control: Conflict Instigation Due to Alcohol, Moods, Emotions, Stress, and the Environment

5: Interpersonal Transgressions

6: Accounts

7: Seeking Personal Control: Personality Differences in Managing Conflict

8: Power and Power Strategies

9: Seeking Attributional Control: Interpreting Conflict

10: Intercultural Conflict

11: Seeking Goal Control: Goal Achievement and Defense

12: Health and Conflict

13: Ongoing Serial Conflict

14: Abuse, Divorce, and Effects on Children

15: Seeking Resolution through Forgiveness