This highly readable volume provides solid research to support practical communication strategies for challenging interactions. In seven chapters, the authors review quantitative and qualitative research findings emerging from the Argumentative Interaction Management framework. They offer recommendations for supportive confrontations that respond to manifestations of racial and gender bias in conversation and in other contexts in which differences in perceptions and expectations compromise relational harmony. This treatment moves beyond a rational approach toward goals-based interpersonal influence. It takes emotion, cognition, and automaticity into account to explain the role of implicit bias in personal and professional communicative contexts. The authors join transformative learning theory, Jungian/relational psychology, problematic integration theory, and cognitive psychology to frame constructive confrontation and problem-solving as processes of joint meaning creation. The book's focus on identifying one's own defenses, projections, and triggers; reducing the defensiveness of others; and seeking common goals invites a learning-based approach to conflict. This model of interpersonal influence rests on a thoughtful engagement with communication practices that many take for granted in everyday interactions. Highly recommended. Undergraduates through faculty; professionals; general readers.

Choice Reviews

“Drawing on decades of scholarship including their own research findings, as well as stories from their personal and professional lives, Shi and Mortenson highlight key lessons about communicating skillfully in difficult situations - e.g., how doing so requires that we become aware of our own emotions and biases, pursue communicative tasks in ways that uphold identities and relationships, remain open to being influenced by others, and recognize the value but also limits of mindfulness. Given that the authors address some of the most vital social and interpersonal issues facing us today, Unquestioned Ease will be a useful resource for communication scholars as well as advanced undergraduate and graduate students.”

Steven R. Wilson, professor and director of graduate studies, University of South Florida

“Shi and Mortenson's new book, Unquestioned Ease: Confronting Automaticity in Everyday Communication, is a welcome contribution to the communication studies literature on “dual processing,” “system 1 and 2,” and “thinking, fast and slow.” Much remains to be learned. In addition to ongoing research on the characteristics of these basic processes, it is not clear how and how much humans will be able to consciously control systems that operate largely outside consciousness. It is also unclear when and how effort to exert such control is adaptive; we know little about how this growing literature can inform communication practices. In this context, Shi and Mortenson’s efforts are surely necessary and potentially important.”

Austin Babrow, Professor Emeritus, University of Ohio

“Unquestioned Ease is a thoughtful and skillful explication of challenging concepts such as automaticity, mindful communication, unconscious bias, and conflict. Grounded in research and relatable through personal anecdotes and scenarios, Shi and Mortenson provide clear explanation and remedies for interpersonal conflict. They identify latent psychological attributes, such as personal shadows and unconscious bias, that contribute to reactions ranging from highly charged emotion to complete withdrawal, which more likely than not results in poor communication and escalated, unresolved conflict. As an alternate approach, the authors present supportive confrontation and mindful communication to elucidate the source of the conflict, isolate it from the individuals, remove past experiences, and allow participants to communicate clearly and articulately engaging in the ongoing process of conflict resolution.”

Heather Hundley, University of Nebraska, Omaha