Final answer:
Smaller successive concessions typically indicate that the resistance point is being approached in negotiations, as parties get closer to their minimum acceptable terms.
Step-by-step explanation:
When successive concessions get smaller, it most likely signals that the resistance point is being approached. This is because each party usually begins with more ambitious demands and progressively scales them back as they get closer to what they consider their minimum acceptable offer. In the context of political bargaining, for instance, if negotiators are making increasingly smaller concessions, it implies that they are nearing a point of no further compromise without risking an impasse.
Negotiations tend to involve a complex interplay of strategies where each party tries to secure the best possible outcome. As concessions decrease in size, each negotiator is typically holding closer to their core interests and desired outcomes, signifying a near end to the negotiation room they have. If one side seeks substantive change and the other seeks to maintain the status quo, the resistance point becomes critical in determining if a successful compromise is achievable.