Assessment 3 Instructions: Conflict and Power

• Write a 3-5 page blog post titled “Conflict and Power” that explains how individual perceptions of power can create conflict situations between law enforcement and members of a community. Use the relational theory of power to explain how perceptions affect the ability to resolve conflict. Then, identify a conflict resolution strategy and predict the outcome.

• Introduction

  Power plays a role in most conflicts. According to Coleman, Deutsch, and Marcus (2014), power can be understood by looking at its relationship to a situation and how that power is used. It is important to consider the role that each person in a conflict situation plays and that person’s place in the power hierarchy. Also, consider culture, as it can influence the way people react to power inequalities. Understanding these differences is key when trying to understand the dynamics of conflict and formulate strategies for conflict resolution.

  Reference

  Coleman, P., Deutsch, M., & Marcus, E. C. (Eds.). (2014). The handbook of conflict resolution: Theory and practice (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

  Demonstration of Proficiency

  By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

  • Competency 1: Identify variables within an organizational structure that can promote conflict.
    • Describe the factors that contribute to conflict between law enforcement and members of a community.
  • Competency 2: Apply theoretical perspectives on conflict.
    • Use the relational theory of power to explain how perceptions of power interfere with the ability to resolve conflict.
  • Competency 3: Apply appropriate strategies to reduce or resolve conflicts.
    • Identify conflict resolution strategies for law enforcement community conflicts.
  • Competency 4: Analyze the impact of conflict on relationship building in face-to-face, virtual, cyber, and group communication.
    • Explain how perceptions of power contribute to conflict situations.
  • Competency 5: Evaluate the outcome of proposed strategies of conflict resolution.
    • Determine the outcome of a conflict resolution strategy.
  • Competency 6: Communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
    • Write coherently to support a central idea in appropriate APA format with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.

  Preparation

  Search the Capella library and the Internet to locate resources that address the dynamics of power and conflict (in particular, with relation to law enforcement), the relational theory of power, perceptions of power, and how things such as gender, culture, and ethnicity can affect that perception.

  Instructions

  Complete the following:

  • Describe the factors or conditions that contribute to conflict situations between law enforcement and citizens.
  • Explain how perceptions of power may contribute to conflict situations between law enforcement and members of a community. Be sure you consider the perceptions of both the police and individual citizens.
  • Use the relational theory of power to explain how perceptions of power affect the ability to resolve police–community conflict.
  • Identify strategies you believe might be effective in reducing or resolving conflicts between police and communities.
  • Choose one strategy and determine the likely outcome.

  Although an actual blog would not have any specific formatting, format this assessment following APA guidelines. This format will facilitate faculty evaluation and feedback.

  Additional Requirements

  • Submit 3–5 typed, double-spaced pages, not including title and reference pages.
  • Use 12-point, Times New Roman font.
  • Include a title page and reference page.
  • Cite at least three current scholarly or professional resources.
    

    Conflict and Power Scoring Guide

    CRITERIA	NON-PERFORMANCE	BASIC	PROFICIENT	DISTINGUISHED
    Describe the factors that contribute to conflict between law enforcement and members of a community.	Does not describe the factors that contribute to conflict between law enforcement and members of a community.	Lists the factors that contribute to conflict between law enforcement and members of a community.	Describes the factors that contribute to conflict between law enforcement and members of a community.	Describes the factors that contribute to conflict between law enforcement and members of a community, and considers the factors from both sides of the conflict.
    Explain how perceptions of power contribute to conflict situations.	Does not explain how perceptions of power contribute to conflict situations.	Explains perceptions of power but does not show how the perceptions contribute to conflict situations.	Explains how perceptions of power contribute to conflict situations.	Explains how perceptions of power on both sides of a conflict contribute to conflict situations.
    Use the relational theory of power to explain how perceptions of power interfere with the ability to resolve conflict.	Does not use the relational theory of power to explain how perceptions of power interfere with the ability to resolve conflict.	Explains how perceptions of power interfere with the ability to resolve conflict but does not use the relational theory of power.	Uses the relational theory of power to explain how perceptions of power interfere with the ability to resolve conflict.	Uses the relational theory of power to explain how perceptions of power on both sides of a conflict interfere with the ability to resolve the conflict.
    Identify conflict resolution strategies for law enforcement community conflicts.	Does not identify conflict resolution strategies for law enforcement community conflicts.	Identifies conflict resolution strategies but does not show how the strategies relate to law enforcement community conflicts.	Identifies conflict resolution strategies for law enforcement community conflicts.	Identifies conflict resolution strategies for law enforcement community conflicts and explains how the strategies relate to law enforcement community conflicts.
    Determine the outcome of a conflict resolution strategy.	Does not determine the outcome of a conflict resolution strategy.	Determines the outcome of a conflict resolution strategy but does not show how the outcome relates to the conflict.	Determines the outcome of a conflict resolution strategy.	Determines the outcome of a conflict resolution strategy and considers how the strategy and outcome may affect the perceptions of power.
    Write coherently to support a central idea in appropriate APA format with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.	Writing does not support a central idea in appropriate APA format. Does not use correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.	Writing supports an idea. APA format is inconsistent, containing major errors of grammar, usage, and mechanics.	Writes coherently to support a central idea in appropriate APA format with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.	Writing is coherent, using evidence to support a central idea in a consistently appropriate APA format with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.