{"id":203,"date":"2018-04-05T16:01:33","date_gmt":"2018-04-05T20:01:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/chapter\/clarifying-assumptions\/"},"modified":"2018-09-04T13:05:36","modified_gmt":"2018-09-04T17:05:36","slug":"clarifying-assumptions","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/chapter\/clarifying-assumptions\/","title":{"raw":"Clarifying Assumptions","rendered":"Clarifying Assumptions"},"content":{"raw":"While it is difficult to avoid making assumptions, it is possible to be aware of assumptions and to learn how to clarify them so that they do not contribute to conflict. Checking perceptions and clarifying assumptions can:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Reduce misunderstanding and negative perceptions.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Eliminate some aspects of the conflict.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Uncover commonalities.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Create more favourable understandings.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>De-escalate conflict and promote both emotional and substantive resolution.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThe following diagram illustrates the formation of perceptions and assumptions:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/334\/2018\/04\/CRES-1101-Foundations_15thEd-May-2017-p54-s.png\"><img src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/334\/2018\/04\/CRES-1101-Foundations_15thEd-May-2017-p54-s.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"295\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-201 size-full\" \/><\/a>\r\n\r\nWe tend to assume that our private intentions are understood through our public actions. We also tend to assume that we know the private intentions of others through the effect of their public action on us. In other words, if person B experiences hurt as a result of person A\u2019s action, B will tend to assume that A\u2019s intention was to hurt. However, person A\u2019s private intentions could have been quite different.\r\n<p class=\"ManualText\">Without clarification, the effect provokes an action that has yet another effect, and the process spirals.<\/p>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/334\/2018\/04\/CRES-1101-Foundations_15thEd-May-2017-p55-s.png\"><img src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/334\/2018\/04\/CRES-1101-Foundations_15thEd-May-2017-p55-s-300x273.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"273\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-202 size-medium\" \/><\/a>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><\/p>\r\nIn order to clarify an assumption, private information needs to be made public. Clarifying assumptions involves communication skills such as empathic listening, open questions, \u2018I\u2019 language, and descriptive language.\r\n\r\nYou can clarify an assumption by:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Describing the effect of the other person\u2019s action on you (\u2018I\u2019 language, description of event, words, behaviour).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Asking the other person for his or her interpretation of events (open question).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Asking about the other person\u2019s intention (open question).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Clarifying your intentions (\u2018I\u2019 language).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-style: normal;\"><strong>An example: Checking out an assumption<\/strong><\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-style: normal;\">Harriet laughs at a comment Bill makes in a staff meeting. Bill\u2019s intentions are serious, although Harriet doesn\u2019t know this. He is impacted by Harriet\u2019s laughter by feeling humiliated. Based on this feeling, Bill assumes that Harriet thinks he is stupid. His resentment causes him to retaliate against Harriet by making cutting remarks at her expense. Harriet, not knowing why Bill is suddenly making cutting remarks, is offended, and thinks Bill is trying to discredit her. Harriet starts avoiding Bill, and so on.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-style: normal;\">A conflict has developed around this set of perceptions, assumptions, and reactions. Either person could clarify the assumptions at play in many ways, and resolve the growing conflict:<\/span>\r\n<ul style=\"font-style: normal;\">\r\n \t<li>Bill could ask Harriet what made her laugh.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Bill could tell Harriet how he felt when she laughed.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Harriet could look for signs that Bill has reacted negatively to her laughter and ask about it.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Harriet could explain why she found his remark funny.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Harriet could tell Bill she is offended by the remarks and ask why he is doing it.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Bill could ask Harriet why she is avoiding him.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox exercises\">\r\n<h3><strong>Exercise: Building self-awareness<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nThink about an assumption you made in a conflict situation. Using the information on clarifying assumptions, describe the impact you think you had on the other person. How could you have dealt differently with the assumption(s) you were making?\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n&nbsp;","rendered":"<p>While it is difficult to avoid making assumptions, it is possible to be aware of assumptions and to learn how to clarify them so that they do not contribute to conflict. Checking perceptions and clarifying assumptions can:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Reduce misunderstanding and negative perceptions.<\/li>\n<li>Eliminate some aspects of the conflict.<\/li>\n<li>Uncover commonalities.<\/li>\n<li>Create more favourable understandings.<\/li>\n<li>De-escalate conflict and promote both emotional and substantive resolution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The following diagram illustrates the formation of perceptions and assumptions:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/334\/2018\/04\/CRES-1101-Foundations_15thEd-May-2017-p54-s.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/334\/2018\/04\/CRES-1101-Foundations_15thEd-May-2017-p54-s.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"295\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-201 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/334\/2018\/04\/CRES-1101-Foundations_15thEd-May-2017-p54-s.png 500w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/334\/2018\/04\/CRES-1101-Foundations_15thEd-May-2017-p54-s-300x177.png 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/334\/2018\/04\/CRES-1101-Foundations_15thEd-May-2017-p54-s-65x38.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/334\/2018\/04\/CRES-1101-Foundations_15thEd-May-2017-p54-s-225x133.png 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/334\/2018\/04\/CRES-1101-Foundations_15thEd-May-2017-p54-s-350x207.png 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We tend to assume that our private intentions are understood through our public actions. We also tend to assume that we know the private intentions of others through the effect of their public action on us. In other words, if person B experiences hurt as a result of person A\u2019s action, B will tend to assume that A\u2019s intention was to hurt. However, person A\u2019s private intentions could have been quite different.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ManualText\">Without clarification, the effect provokes an action that has yet another effect, and the process spirals.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/334\/2018\/04\/CRES-1101-Foundations_15thEd-May-2017-p55-s.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/334\/2018\/04\/CRES-1101-Foundations_15thEd-May-2017-p55-s-300x273.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"273\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-202 size-medium\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/334\/2018\/04\/CRES-1101-Foundations_15thEd-May-2017-p55-s-300x273.png 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/334\/2018\/04\/CRES-1101-Foundations_15thEd-May-2017-p55-s-65x59.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/334\/2018\/04\/CRES-1101-Foundations_15thEd-May-2017-p55-s-225x205.png 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/334\/2018\/04\/CRES-1101-Foundations_15thEd-May-2017-p55-s-350x319.png 350w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/334\/2018\/04\/CRES-1101-Foundations_15thEd-May-2017-p55-s.png 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<p>In order to clarify an assumption, private information needs to be made public. Clarifying assumptions involves communication skills such as empathic listening, open questions, \u2018I\u2019 language, and descriptive language.<\/p>\n<p>You can clarify an assumption by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Describing the effect of the other person\u2019s action on you (\u2018I\u2019 language, description of event, words, behaviour).<\/li>\n<li>Asking the other person for his or her interpretation of events (open question).<\/li>\n<li>Asking about the other person\u2019s intention (open question).<\/li>\n<li>Clarifying your intentions (\u2018I\u2019 language).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<p><span style=\"font-style: normal;\"><strong>An example: Checking out an assumption<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-style: normal;\">Harriet laughs at a comment Bill makes in a staff meeting. Bill\u2019s intentions are serious, although Harriet doesn\u2019t know this. He is impacted by Harriet\u2019s laughter by feeling humiliated. Based on this feeling, Bill assumes that Harriet thinks he is stupid. His resentment causes him to retaliate against Harriet by making cutting remarks at her expense. Harriet, not knowing why Bill is suddenly making cutting remarks, is offended, and thinks Bill is trying to discredit her. Harriet starts avoiding Bill, and so on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-style: normal;\">A conflict has developed around this set of perceptions, assumptions, and reactions. Either person could clarify the assumptions at play in many ways, and resolve the growing conflict:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-style: normal;\">\n<li>Bill could ask Harriet what made her laugh.<\/li>\n<li>Bill could tell Harriet how he felt when she laughed.<\/li>\n<li>Harriet could look for signs that Bill has reacted negatively to her laughter and ask about it.<\/li>\n<li>Harriet could explain why she found his remark funny.<\/li>\n<li>Harriet could tell Bill she is offended by the remarks and ask why he is doing it.<\/li>\n<li>Bill could ask Harriet why she is avoiding him.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox exercises\">\n<h3><strong>Exercise: Building self-awareness<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Think about an assumption you made in a conflict situation. Using the information on clarifying assumptions, describe the impact you think you had on the other person. How could you have dealt differently with the assumption(s) you were making?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"menu_order":4,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-203","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":196,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/203","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/203\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":271,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/203\/revisions\/271"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/196"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/203\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=203"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=203"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=203"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/cres1100\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=203"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}