Which of the following best explains why confronting a friend in anger is not always a good way to react?

• A. Confronting in anger guarantees that both parties will feel understood.
• B. It always helps to immediately solve the problem and strengthen the friendship.
• C. It can damage the relationship and lead to increased conflict rather than resolution.
• D. Anger is the only emotion that should be expressed in interpersonal conflicts.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the role of emotions in interpersonal communication, especially how anger can influence the way messages are received and interpreted.
2. Step 2: Recognize that confronting a friend in anger often escalates the conflict because anger can trigger defensive reactions rather than open, constructive dialogue.
3. Step 3: Consider psychological theories such as the 'fight or flight' response, which explain why anger might lead to increased tension instead of resolution.
4. Step 4: Reflect on the importance of emotional regulation and expressing feelings calmly to maintain trust and understanding in relationships.
5. Step 5: Conclude that while expressing emotions is important, confronting a friend in anger is not always effective because it can harm the relationship and increase conflict rather than solve the problem.