Read the case study and answer the questions that follow it.

I had just bought a new computer, and was in the process of getting it all set up.

Space is a precious commodity in university housing. My roommate has had a laptop computer for over a year that obviously requires less space to operate than does a fullsized computer like mine. He also has a printer that is about half the space of mine.

Prior to my computer being shipped, we realized we would need another desk in the room. We were able to find one that barely fit in our room, and we moved it in. The new desk was half again as big as the one already in the room, and he started using it first.

Once I got my computer partially set up, I realized that it was going to be a tight fit to squeeze all the equipment into the available space, and I asked my roommate if we could switch desks. He quickly and firmly replied “No.” I asked why not, since my computer took up so much more space, and it was already cramped in the corner where my desk is, without even having all the equipment set up. He replied that he simply liked the bigger desk so that he could spread out more. I half jokingly said I would pay him to switch, and he said, “This isn’t a barter system, and you can’t bid on this desk.” I reminded him that he has used the smaller desk for a year and a half without any problems whatsoever.

My roommate then reminded me that he was in this room a year before I moved in. He also felt he was a better judge of arranging the place than I was. “You always have such stupid ideas,” he said.

a. What are the issues in this conflict?

b. Define power and describe the role played by an imbalance of power in this situation. How might the parties equalize power?

c. Define competition and describe the role it played (could have played) in this situation. How might the parties convert the situation from a competitive one to a cooperative one?

d. Define trust and describe the role played by distrust in this situation. How might the parties regain one another’s trust?

e. Define defensive behavior and describe the role played by defensive behaviors in this situation. How might the parties engage in more supportive behavior?

f. Define groupthink and describe the role played by groupthink in a situation. How might the parties have engaged in constructive conflict management?