1. Tricia S. Jones, Temple University, Copyright Protect, March 2006. Face Work in Conflict Theoretical Bases for Face Theoretical Bases for Face Erving Goffmans work – people adopt social roles of identities they want others to respect. He calls these face and the things we do to achieve them line Erving Goffmans work – people adopt social roles of identities they want others to respect. He calls these face and the things we do to achieve them line The communication behavior we use to establish, protect or change face is called facework The communication behavior we use to establish, protect or change face is called facework Attacking Face Attacking Face Giving Face Giving Face Saving Face Saving Face

2. Tricia S. Jones, Temple University, Copyright Protect, March 2006. Causes of Face Saving Personality Characteristics Personality Characteristics Low self-esteem/defensiveness Low self-esteem/defensiveness Dogmatism Dogmatism Hostile attribution tendency Hostile attribution tendency Identification with a position or issue Identification with a position or issue The tendency to lay blame The tendency to lay blame

3. Tricia S. Jones, Temple University, Copyright Protect, March 2006. Consequences of Face Saving Adds a relational issue to the conflict Adds a relational issue to the conflict When face is threatened it becomes a new relational issue to the conflict When face is threatened it becomes a new relational issue to the conflict This relational issue takes precedence over other issues This relational issue takes precedence over other issues Usually escalates conflict – encourages reciprocity of face attacks Usually escalates conflict – encourages reciprocity of face attacks Creates a need for defensive posture even if face attack is dealt with Creates a need for defensive posture even if face attack is dealt with Increases the potential for Impasse Increases the potential for Impasse

4. Tricia S. Jones, Temple University, Copyright Protect, March 2006. Forms of Face Saving Resisting Unjust Intimidation Resisting Unjust Intimidation Accusation they have been wronged Accusation they have been wronged Demand that attack be withdrawn or compensated for Demand that attack be withdrawn or compensated for Counterattack likely Counterattack likely Suppressing Conflict Issues Suppressing Conflict Issues Physical or psychological withdrawal Physical or psychological withdrawal Changing the topic Changing the topic Being under-responsive Being under-responsive Speaking in third person or very abstractly Speaking in third person or very abstractly

5. Tricia S. Jones, Temple University, Copyright Protect, March 2006. Forms of Face Saving contd Retrenchment Retrenchment Results from the fear that the face attack has made you look weak or vulnerable Results from the fear that the face attack has made you look weak or vulnerable Chances of retrenchment increases in public conflicts Chances of retrenchment increases in public conflicts Retrenchment involves taking a more extreme position than you have openly taken before Retrenchment involves taking a more extreme position than you have openly taken before -firmer commitment statements -firmer commitment statements -pulling back from an agreement -pulling back from an agreement -refusing to commit to a solution you previously indicated interest in -refusing to commit to a solution you previously indicated interest in pulling support from the other in some indirect way pulling support from the other in some indirect way

6. Tricia S. Jones, Temple University, Copyright Protect, March 2006. Counteracting RUI Must be dealt with immediately Must be dealt with immediately Ask why they perceive it as an attack Ask why they perceive it as an attack Clarify you perceptions and intent Clarify you perceptions and intent Apologize if need be Apologize if need be Give face in some other way Give face in some other way

7. Tricia S. Jones, Temple University, Copyright Protect, March 2006. Counteracting Suppression Take partial responsibility for the problem the conflict issue to be addressed Take partial responsibility for the problem the conflict issue to be addressed Ask their input/advice on your problem Ask their input/advice on your problem Bolster their ego in some realistic way Bolster their ego in some realistic way Be sensitive to timing issues Be sensitive to timing issues

8. Tricia S. Jones, Temple University, Copyright Protect, March 2006. Counteracting Retrenchment Dont draw attention to the retrenchment Dont draw attention to the retrenchment Ask why they have that position Ask why they have that position Rephrase reasons in terms of interests to guide them back to a more interest based interaction Rephrase reasons in terms of interests to guide them back to a more interest based interaction Take a break from the process and return, starting with the period before retrenchment if possible Take a break from the process and return, starting with the period before retrenchment if possible