Which strategy involves delaying action to cool off a situation?

The strategy that involves delaying action to cool off a situation is known as defusion. Defusion strategies are often employed in conflict resolution to reduce tension and allow for a more rational and calm discussion to take place. This technique can help prevent escalation and provides the parties involved an opportunity to reassess their positions and emotions before engaging further.

In situations of potential conflict, calming the atmosphere can be essential for successful resolution, and defusion serves as a way to create a pause or break in the action. By doing so, participants may find that their emotions settle, leading to a clearer pathway toward negotiation or compromise.

Mediation and arbitration are more direct conflict resolution techniques that involve actively facilitating communication or making binding decisions, respectively, which don’t focus specifically on the cooling-off aspect. Confrontation, on the other hand, typically involves confronting the issue head-on without a delay, which is contrary to the calming strategy of defusion.