Interpersonal Communication: Integrative Bargaining Techniques
Introduction
- Course: Intro to Interpersonal Communication
- Current topic: Interpersonal conflict and negotiation cases
- Previous session skipped page C10 due to remote format constraints
Negotiation Cases
- Case 1: Two people looking for an apartment
- Case 2: You and best friend planning for spring break
- Task: Develop two possible solutions for each case
- Note: Splitting up is not an option; solutions should keep parties together
Integrative Bargaining Techniques
Developed by Dean Pruitt in the mid-1980s, revised in the 2000s. Techniques include:
1. Cost Cutting
- Definition: One party gets what they want and reduces the pain for the other.
- Example for Apartment: Chris gets preferred apartment, pays more rent to reduce Pat's financial burden.
- Example for Spring Break: Choose beach location, pay more or allow friend downtime.
2. Non-Specific Compensation
- Definition: One party gets what they want and compensates the other with something unrelated.
- Example for Apartment: Pat chooses cheaper apartment, sets Chris up with a date.
- Example for Spring Break: Agree on location, offer use of car for the semester.
3. Expand the Pie
- Definition: Increase resources to create mutually beneficial solutions.
- Example for Apartment: Add a third roommate to share expenses.
- Example for Spring Break: Plan for two spring breaks with different locations.
4. Log Rolling
- Definition: Each party compromises on lower priorities to gain higher priorities.
- Example for Spring Break: Go to mountains (friend's preference) but stay in luxury (your priority).
5. Bridging
- Definition: Neither party gets initial demands; both meet high priorities in a new option.
- Example for Apartment: Choose a new one-bedroom apartment where priorities align.
- Example for Spring Break: Choose an inland lake resort offering activities for both.
Summary
- Techniques spell "BLENC" from bottom up: Bridging, Log Rolling, Expand the Pie, Non-specific Compensation, Cost cutting.
- Encouragement to apply these techniques in negotiations with friends.
Note: These integrative bargaining techniques enhance creative solutions and improve negotiation outcomes.