Which stage of conflict can significantly alter communication styles?

The stage of conflict that can significantly alter communication styles is the manifest stage. During this stage, the conflict becomes openly expressed and observable, leading to direct interactions between the parties involved. As individuals engage in discussions or confrontations, their communication styles may change based on emotional responses, the urgency of the conflict, or the strategies they employ to address the issues at hand.

In the manifest stage, individuals are more likely to adopt aggressive, defensive, or problem-solving communication strategies, which can lead to either constructive or destructive outcomes depending on how the conflict is managed. This dynamic can shape the way participants engage with each other moving forward and may set the tone for future interactions.

Other stages, such as the latent stage, are characterized by underlying tensions that have not yet surfaced, and communication remains more subdued or indirect. The felt stage involves internal emotional responses but does not yet manifest in the way that direct interaction does. Lastly, the aftermath stage deals with the consequences and resolutions of the conflict rather than initiating changes in communication styles. Hence, it is during the manifest stage that we see the most significant shifts in how individuals communicate.