A Tale of Two (or More) Goals: Managing Goal Conflicts in Conversation

Abstract: From negotiations to political discussions, people often pursue multiple goals within a conversation. How people advance multiple, and sometimes conflicting goals within a conversation can have profound implications for not only economic outcomes, but also relational outcomes and psychological well-being. In this symposium, we assess goal conflicts in conversation and identify effective strategies to reconcile these conflicts. Across five presentations, we consider the economic, relational, reputational, and informational goals that people hold in conversation and we provide practical guidance for navigating both interpersonal and intrapsychic conflicts.

Keywords: conversation, conflict, negotiation