There are four key steps in collaborative problem solving. I will be talking about the foundational principles and the effective practices of collaborative problem solving, including actively listening, credulity, self-assertion, and empathic listening.

Principles

Empathy

To feel for the other person.

Compassion

Compassion is our feeling of care for the suffering of others.

Credulity

It is essential to view the other person with
credulity. To truly open up a conversation.

Practices

Dont argue right off the bat, let the other person speak and listen to them. Actively listen

this step involves lots of empathy, active listening, and respect. It's a key step to acknowledge your partners perspective, and feelings even if you disagree with them.

Illustartion-Own Example

Me and my roommate talked to each other, and both stated why we were having this conversation the first place, I brough up this conversation because I felt my roommate was staying up to late and being loud playing video games. I recognized my roommate's humanity by truly understanding his perspective and why he played his video games so late into the night. I put myself in his shoes. I asked him questions (which shows curiosity) which helped me understand his view.

Principles

How do we identify needs,
emotions, and interests?

You ask why. To get from a position to a need you
ask why.

What are the two modes of
communication in CPS?

Empathetic Listening

Subtopic

Self-Assertion

Subtopic

Why is it important to seperate needs from positions.

A position is the outcome that each party wants. For example, in my conflict, my position was for my roommate to stop playing video games so late at night. His position was he wanted to play video games late into the night. Those two positions conflict. So, we try to find the needs behind the positions. For example, my need was to be able to sleep. His need was to play with his friends at night. So, if we look at our needs, they don't necessarily clash. We could find a solution that meets both of our needs.

Practices

Now that we both have stated our side of the "argument'', we now need to find the needs and what we want to come out of this conversation. Showing that you care, showing that you
understand. Body language. Eye contact, asking
follow up questions. “Why did you feel that way,
“How do you feel about that."

Practice active listening. Try to understand the underlying concerns and desires of the other person. When you listen to their words and actions you can find what their needs may be. Using I statements is very helpful in this step.

I statements have no characterizing. Bias solutionizing. Describe concrete event.
Good self assertion statement would be– When you play video games all night I feel unheard and direspected.

Illustartion-Own example

My needs were for my partner to not be so loud at 2am playing video games when I was trying to sleep. My partners needs were he wanted to play PS4 at night. I told my partner my needs are to get better and longer sleep at night, and his needs were to play video games with his friends from home that he never gets to see anymore.

Principles

What does it mean to seek
maximum gain?

Brainstorm and evaluate as many solutions as you
can possibly think of

What are the main principles of
brainstorming?

Brainstorming is a key step in solving the problem. To brainstorm affectively is to encourage open communication and idea sharing. Each person needs to take a turn in expressing their thoughts without interruption

Practices

Spit out lot's of ideas as you can think of. The more ideas, the better the solution will be.

Illustration-Own example

Me and my partner though of a lot of ways to fix the problem we had, get me earphones and a face mask so I cant hear or see him at night playing. Or to have my partner stop playing at 12:30. Or to have my partner play in the common room so he can play as long and as loud as he wants.

Principles

What does it mean to invent a
solution that is “non-zero
sum”?

To create a solution that is equal, 50/50 for both parties in the conflict.

What does it mean to invent a
solution with “mutual gain”?

To have everyone be happy and win the conflict

Practices

Selecting the best solution involves considering the needs and perspectives of both people involved in the argument. By weighing in each the pros and cons of each proposed solutions and evaluate how well they address the underlying concerns and needs of each person.

Illustartion-own example

Me and my partner chose to get me ear muffs and an eye mask while I sleep , and it has been working pretty well. So this was a win/win argument.