ABSTRACT
We frequently are given conflicting messages that cause us either to disbelieve one of the messages and accept the other or to be confused about which is the accurate message. Friends may tell us that they really want to succeed in getting good grades, but in the very next breath tell us that they never do homework or study for tests. These comments form a double message because they can’t both be true. To deal effectively with a double message we use a skill called confrontation. Confrontation skill is being able to identify and to respond—communicate, provide feedback—regarding those discrepancies in another person’s behavior in such a manner that the other person can grow.
