Conflict is defined as the perception of incompatible goals or actions between two people (McCornack, 2013). How you deal with these tense situations greatly influences the outcome of the conflict and your interpersonal relationships. Everyone experiences disagreement at some point in their lives, and it's important to know what you bring to conflict situations to become a more competent communicator. Therefore, I completed the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Pattern Questionnaire and asked my sister and boyfriend to do the same regarding my conflict style (Introduction to the Interpersonal Communication Course Manual, 2013, p.29 -31). I chose these two people to fill out the questionnaire because they both know me very well in two different types of relationships which gave me complete and accurate results. After collecting and analyzing data on my personal conflict style, it is obvious that I tend to avoid conflict whenever possible through the use of a variety of tactics. As you can see in the data table above, I received the highest average score in the avoidant category. Someone with an avoidant conflict style tends to deny, ignore, or indirectly communicate a problem (McCornack, 2013). I believe a person's approach to conflict has a lot to do with their personality, but it can also be learned. My father and sister seem to be very competitive in conflict situations. Growing up in my family I always knew that my father or sister would win any argument, so I tended to avoid conflict with them altogether. My mother and I have similar personalities and competitiveness is not in our nature. That said, she also seems to be very conflict avoidant, and I believe I learned this approach from her through observation... middle of paper... avoidance in all varieties of relationships and situations. I do this through the frequent use of direct denial, topic change, and non-committal question tactics. Although I rarely achieve my goals in conflict contexts, avoidance allows me to save many relationships from immediate failure. However, I will take appropriate steps to become more cooperative in my conflict situations by using the tactic of qualifying statements to express my concerns to others rather than keeping them to myself. Works Cited Introduction to the interpersonal communication course manual. (2013). Athens GA:Department of Communication Studies.McCornack, S. (2013). Reflect and relate: An introduction to interpersonal communication. (3rd ed.). Boston; New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.Seung, S. (2014, March 21). Conflict Styles, COMM 1500, Athens, GA.