Adam was taking a public speaking class and was angry with his instructor. All of his friends were getting good grades except him, but they all told him that he made the best presentations. The instructor's evaluations of his presentations all stated that his presentations were amusing. Adam asked his instructor why all his classmates, most of whom happen to be females, were getting better grades than he was. Adam thought he was learning to be a better speaker and that the instructor was biased toward females, being one herself. However, Adam did not realize that there were other males as well in the class who were getting good grades. This conflict escalated because of:

Consistent Grades of Students

Explanation:

Adam carries a self-belief that he worked very hard and hence deserved a better grade, and since other students laud his presentation he believes that he was better, if not the best. But he fails to realize that other students have done very well and because of their performance they get a better grade. The teacher seems fair though she may have felt some umbrage due to Adma's anger and accusation. Adam seems very much concerned about the performance of others than his own. Consistent grade of students which puts Adam where he has been previously created a sense of prejudice against his teacher. Teacher, on the other, may well be little irritated and evaluated his presentation with a slight bit of preconceived notion. The conflict escalates since both Adam and his teacher show no progress.