RPC Activity #10

Relationship Thought Prompt #10

Taking the conflict out of the argument All arguments have an element of conflict. Managing the level of conflict is essential to keeping an argument healthy and under control.

Phase 2

Phase 1

Sparking the argument

Extending the argument

Phase 3

Stepping backwards

Phase 4

Moving forwards

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Relationship Thought Prompt #10

Phase 1

Ask yourself: How did the argument start?

Sparking the argument

Was it fanned by small actions, such as: using an aggressive or confrontational tone of voice? feeling tired or stressed? not listening to each other? bringing up past issues?

Phase 2

Ask yourself: How do you act during an argument?

Do you: bottle things up and then have a rant? get overwhelmed by your feelings? sulk or give the silent treatment? keep baiting and going at your partner?

Extending the argument

These actions tend to fan the conflict.

Phase 3

What you can do: By taking a few actions you can step back and reduce the conflict.

During an argument you can try:

Stepping backwards

Phase 4

Moving forwards

taking a break listening to your partner saying sorry offering affection

What you can do: Stay focused on the positives.

Think about: what brought you together in the first place? what keeps you together now? what good times have you had together? keep these in your mind and focus on them rather than the argument.

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