Interpersonal arguments carry the potential for defensiveness and hostility, making them enormously distressing and difficult to understand. An Anatomy of Everyday Arguments examines the structure and dynamics of conflict to find new ways forward.

Marnie Jull analyzes four personal stories through the lens of the Insight approach, an innovative way to decipher and reshape the direction of everyday conflicts that draws from the theories of Bernard Lonergan. Jull dissects arguments that range from a quarrel about chores to a high-stakes organizational impasse, exploring the internal process of decision-making that shapes conflict behaviour within complex social contexts. Without dismissing the importance of responsible conflict, the Insight approach encourages people in the heat of an argument to engage less rashly with threat. Jull’s entertaining storytelling and meticulous analysis integrate findings from sociology, conflict resolution, interpersonal communication, psychology, facilitation, ethnography, anthropology, and qualitative research methodology.

At a time of increasingly polarized global debate, the Insight approach lays the groundwork for new possibilities to emerge. An innovative text, An Anatomy of Everyday Arguments brings new theoretical work on conflict and change to life and demonstrates its practical applications.

Marnie Jull, a conflict mediator and facilitator, is associate professor and head of the Conflict Analysis and Management program at Royal Roads University.

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"This book is exciting and potentially generative in new and promising ways. Through its use of autoethnography and personal narrative, An Anatomy of Everyday Arguments is set to make a major contribution. The reflexive prose, layered introspection, and analysis of interpersonal relations make for a welcoming book to which readers are likely to relate in their own ways." Keith Berry, University of South Florida

“The presentation and application of the insight approach through personal examples confirms the author’s high level of understanding and competence in insight theory. It is also refreshing to read something completely original, … . We need more works like this that examine theory and demonstrate how to apply it in practice.” Peace Research: The Canadian Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies