Ruminating about Symbolic Conflict through Imagined Interactions

Abstract

Functional theory, as conceptualized by Dance and Larson [1], provided the framework for examining how individuals utilize imagined interactions to link conflict episodes. Proactive and retroactive functions of imagined interactions were conceptualized as a vehicle through which the mentation function of communication is accomplished. As such, the current study sought to determine the amount of conflict participants reported in their imagined interactions, the reported interaction partners, the amount of conflicts that were linked to one another, the level of the conflict, use of verbally aggressive messages in the imagined interactions, and the amount of physical aggression reported in participants' imagined interactions. Overall, results indicated that behavioral, normative, and personal level conflicts are routinely experienced, symbolically, through imagined interactions. Conflict partners included a variety of individuals, but mainly significant others, friends, and bosses. Moreover, results indicated that individuals use proactive and retroactive imagined interactions to link conflict episodes, and conflictual imagined interactions are characterized, to some degree, by verbally aggressive messages and to a lesser extent by incidents of physical violence.