Hector and Mary Beth have been married for just a few months. Hector begins to notice that Mary Beth expects him to take out the trash every time. Why can't she take it out once in a while?
He decides to ask her about the issue. Mary Beth says she wasn't aware that she was asking him to do it all the time, but she usually thinks about it when she is doing the dishes. When she's up to her elbows in soapsuds, it just seems reasonable to ask Hector to take out the trash. Hector indicates that he will do the dishes sometimes if she will take out the trash sometimes. Mary Beth agrees.
Which strategy for escalating and maintaining relationships are they using?

A) engaging in a relationship talk
B) being tolerant and showing restraint
C) expressing emotions
D) managing conflict cooperatively

Hector has indicated that he will do the dishes sometimes, Mary Beth has also indicated that she will take out the trash sometimes. This shows that they have both decided to maintain their relationship and resolve their conflict through collaboration which is cooperative.

There are five Conflict resolution strategies which are;

Avoiding
Competing
Accommodating
Collaborating
Compromising

Collaborating is a method used when people are both assertive and cooperative. The individuals involved learn to allow each participant to make a contribution with the possibility of co-creating a shared solution which is what both Hector and Mary Beth are doing. They are both cooperating to manage the conflict by doing both chores.