Conflict Resolution in Collaborative Discourse

This paper presents a model of collaborative discourse which integrates problem-solving, discourse, and conflict resolution. Experimental evidence obtained from an implementation of this theory demonstrates the effectiveness of the conflict resolution methods within the model. 1. Motivation Two recently implemented voice dialogue systems utilize the principle that discourse is a by-product of cooperative problem-solving[1, 2]. The computer participant in both of these systems proceeds by attempting to prove or solve some goal, and when the system is blocked, it has the option of using dialogue to obtain the necessary information in order to continue its proof. This dialogue mechanism has been described as the missing axiom theory of discourse[3]. This paper extends this theory to develop a unified model of collaborative discourse within the missing axiom framework which includes several mechanisms for conflict resolution: 1) the varying of dialogue initiative between participants, 2)..