Which style involves both parties refusing to acknowledge resolution and ignoring the problem?

• A. Interpersonal communication
• B. Smoothing
• C. Avoiding/withdrawing
• D. Cooperating/accommodating

Answer: (C)

Avoiding/withdrawal is a conflict-management style where both people refuse to address the problem and pull away from resolution efforts. This approach reduces immediate tension by not debating or confronting the issue, but it leaves the underlying problem unresolved. For example, two coworkers in a dispute might stop talking about it and act as if nothing is wrong, continuing work without addressing the conflict. This contrasts with smoothing, which aims to ease tension through concessions, or cooperating/accommodating, where one or both sides yield to reach a resolution. Interpersonal communication is the broad process of exchanging messages, not a specific style for handling conflicts. The described behavior clearly aligns with avoiding/withdrawal because the problem is being ignored and not acknowledged.