Conflict is an important area of study because we all face it as we move through our interpersonal, family, and work lives. Your personal history, such as your family of origin and other influences, makes a difference in how you respond to conflict. Per- ceptions about conflict, whether it is an activity to be avoided or sought out and whether it is a neg- ative or positive activity, develop over one’s life- time. In this process, refined images or metaphors develop in one’s imagination and language that give shape and meaning to conflict episodes. The lens model of conflict provides a framework for viewing how both gender and culture (1) shape behaviors and (2) influence perceptions of others’ communicative behavior. Gender often plays a key role in the behaviors one chooses in conflict, and also influences how one sees others. Finally, one’s culture (such as being individualistic or collectivis- tic) affects one’s behaviors and one’s perceptions of others in a conflict.