  Interpersonal conflict is an uncomfortable but unavoidable fact of life.
Navigating conflict successfully is a skill -- one that can be learned through
deliberate practice -- but few have access to effective training or feedback.
To expand this access, we introduce Rehearsal, a system that allows users to
rehearse conflicts with a believable simulated interlocutor, explore
counterfactual "what if?" scenarios to identify alternative conversational
paths, and learn through feedback on how and when to apply specific conflict
strategies. Users can utilize Rehearsal to practice handling a variety of
predefined conflict scenarios, from office disputes to relationship issues, or
they can choose to create their own setting. To enable Rehearsal, we develop
IRP prompting, a method of conditioning output of a large language model on the
influential Interest-Rights-Power (IRP) theory from conflict resolution.
Rehearsal uses IRP to generate utterances grounded in conflict resolution
theory, guiding users towards counterfactual conflict resolution strategies
that help de-escalate difficult conversations. In a between-subjects
evaluation, 40 participants engaged in an actual conflict with a confederate
after training. Compared to a control group with lecture material covering the
same IRP theory, participants with simulated training from Rehearsal
significantly improved their performance in the unaided conflict: they reduced
their use of escalating competitive strategies by an average of 67%, while
doubling their use of cooperative strategies. Overall, Rehearsal highlights the
potential effectiveness of language models as tools for learning and practicing
interpersonal skills.
