Fear and Anger - The Descent to Conflict

Give the following quotes some thought and consideration. "In conflict we tend to descend to meet. There is an interpersonal gravitation that tends to pull us down to the level of disrespect for the other person. There is an inclination to stereotype the other. When this happens we talk to each other or past each other, not with each other. ... The exertion of moral force is required to treat the other as a person of worth with whom we will enter into a dialogue as equals."

This leads me to the thought as to our "attitudes" in a more complex way. We tend to fail to recognize that when we disagree with another person's cultural beliefs and values this often degenerates into disrespect. Your "dissing" them. Your dissing their ideas and personhood. This often occurs during a time of strong emotional actions or reactions to some stimuli. It widens the reality gap of communications in lieu of building a bridge across that gap.

This is why it is best to tackle your emotions first and foremost before communications begin. I mean both physical and verbal. Once you gain a return of the logical problem-solving parts of your brain then think about all the above before you create, either intentionally or unintentionally, a reality gap that leads to hostility.

Just one more idea that may give more substance to the art of avoidance resulting in improved mutually beneficial communications.