Bargaining

Definition

Bargaining is the process of negotiating the terms of an agreement or transaction between two or more parties. It involves making offers, counteroffers, and compromises to reach a mutually acceptable outcome. In the context of death and dying, bargaining is one of the five stages of grief proposed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Bargaining is the fourth stage of the five stages of grief, following denial, anger, and depression.
2. During the bargaining stage, individuals may try to negotiate with a higher power or make promises in exchange for a different outcome, such as the reversal of a terminal illness or the return of a lost loved one.
3. Bargaining is often a way for individuals to regain a sense of control and to avoid the finality of the loss they are experiencing.
4. Unsuccessful bargaining can lead to feelings of guilt, self-blame, and a sense of failure, which can prolong the grieving process.
5. The bargaining stage is a necessary part of the grieving process, as it allows individuals to gradually accept the reality of their loss and move towards the final stage of acceptance.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of bargaining in the grieving process.
  • Bargaining is the fourth stage of the five stages of grief proposed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. During this stage, individuals may try to negotiate with a higher power or make promises in exchange for a different outcome, such as the reversal of a terminal illness or the return of a lost loved one. Bargaining is a way for individuals to regain a sense of control and to avoid the finality of the loss they are experiencing. It is a necessary part of the grieving process, as it allows individuals to gradually accept the reality of their loss and move towards the final stage of acceptance.
• Describe how unsuccessful bargaining can impact the grieving process.
  • Unsuccessful bargaining can lead to feelings of guilt, self-blame, and a sense of failure, which can prolong the grieving process. When individuals are unable to negotiate a different outcome or make a deal with a higher power, they may experience a deep sense of disappointment and a lack of closure. This can make it more difficult for them to accept the reality of their loss and move forward with the grieving process. Unsuccessful bargaining can also lead to a prolonged sense of denial or anger, further delaying the individual's ability to reach the final stage of acceptance.
• Analyze the relationship between bargaining and the other stages of grief.
  • Bargaining is the fourth stage of the five stages of grief, following denial, anger, and depression. Each stage of grief is interconnected and can influence the others. For example, the bargaining stage may arise as a way to avoid the intense emotions of anger or depression experienced in the earlier stages. Conversely, unsuccessful bargaining can lead to a resurgence of anger or a deeper sense of depression. The bargaining stage is a necessary part of the grieving process, as it allows individuals to gradually accept the reality of their loss and move towards the final stage of acceptance. However, the relationship between bargaining and the other stages of grief is complex, and the individual's progression through the stages can be non-linear and influenced by various personal and contextual factors.

Related terms

Negotiation: The process of discussing the terms of an agreement or transaction with the aim of reaching a compromise.

Compromise: A settlement in which each party makes concessions in order to reach an agreement.

Grief:

The intense emotional response to the loss of a loved one or a significant change in one's life.