Going to define this concept, many imply aggression, disputes and squabbles under it, but it covers a wider area of human activity and is not always destructive. The interests of the parties are encountered in a variety of spheres - labor, economic, social, etc. What is the conflict - in this article.
Psychology of conflict
In the absence of agreement between the parties, when everyone wants to take a position that is incompatible or contradictory to the interests of the other, a clash arises. Conflict science studies the concept of conflict. It also identifies the problem, the motives that motivate participants to confrontation, their positions and goals. The essence of conflicts is diverse, but there is always tension between the participants, negative emotions , but if you want, you can find a way out of the situation.
Sociology of conflict
In any society, collisions are inevitable, because this is the main condition for the development of society. And the more difficult it is, the more groups with conflicting and mutually exclusive interests in it, the more reasons for the emergence of confrontation. The resolution of conflicts depends more on the objectives pursued by the actors and their desire to resolve the situation in a positive or negative way. Open struggle of the parties and a real confrontation can provoke incompatibility of needs and values.
Causes of conflict
The phenomenon is complex and multidimensional and the factors that generated it differ significantly:
- Values are spiritual, material.
- The causes of conflicts are also related to the imperfection of the developed legal framework.
- Deficiency of goods that are of great importance in human life.
- Those who are wondering why conflicts happen, it is worth responding that because of the peculiarities of the psyche. Conflicts in the group arise because of persistent stereotypes of thinking and behavior.
- Poor awareness. Lack of knowledge on certain issues also leads to confrontation.
Pros and cons of the conflict
Experts argue a lot about the role of confrontation in society and identify the following negative aspects :
- Temporary and energy costs, and in some cases material ones.
- Negative emotions, which act destructively and can lead to the emergence of various diseases. This is peculiar to such a phenomenon as interpersonal conflict. Internal struggle, when a person does not know how to do better and more correctly, negatively reflects on the work of the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, etc.
- Thinking about what a conflict is, it is worth noting such a disadvantage as an open confrontation, which often leads to physical influences and fighting, that is, war.
- The deterioration of relations and the overall socio-psychological climate.
- The fall of authority and the decline in labor productivity.
The positive sides include:
- Removing the voltage and clarifying the situation. Having ascertained the opponent's point of view, it is easier to understand and determine the ways out of this situation.
- The positive sides of the conflict include the development of new relations at the end of the dispute. Such a collision provides an opportunity to reconsider their views on the usual things and start building relationships in a new way. Conflicts in the family , which happen to everyone, strengthen marriage if the husband and wife are interested in keeping it. In the case of an organization, this leads to the unity of the team, if this does not contradict the general norms and the basics of relations.
- In the social environment, it balances and stabilizes the situation thanks to debates, discussions, compromises, etc.
- The responsibility of the parties is increased.
Types of conflicts
The clash of the parties is distinguished by the volume and duration, the means used, the source of origin, the form, the nature of development, etc. Types of conflicts in the sphere of government:
- economic;
- social;
- political;
- organizational.
By the method of resolution, they can be antagonistic and compromise. In the first case, in the process of confrontation, the structures of all parties are destroyed or one becomes the winner, while in the second, the interests of all participants are taken into account. According to the composition of the parties there are:
- intrapersonal;
- interpersonal and group;
- conflicts in organizations.
Stages of conflict
In its formation, the collision proceeds in several phases:
- In the pre-conflict stage, tension between the parties is growing. Up to a certain point, it proceeds secretly, but with the appearance of an incident, that is, the push goes into an open form.
- Stages of conflict include the actual conflict itself. The parties move to open confrontation and can both challenge and respond to it. Apogee is to inflict as much damage to the enemy as possible.
- If you want to know what a conflict is and what its third stage is, you can answer that at the stage of resolution there is a change of landmarks. Given their capabilities and the capabilities of the enemy, the parties begin to search for ways out of the situation, and the confrontation loses its intensity.
- On a post-conflict stage, there is a temporary respite or a lasting peace on the basis of consensus.
What are the strategies of behavior in the conflict?
Insisting on their own, the parties can follow the next course:
- Care, evasion or adaptation. In the first two cases, the subject refuses to discuss anything, negotiate, etc. In the latter he agrees in everything with the other party, being afraid to make a response.
- Conflict behavior strategies include anti-aliasing . The behavior of the parties can be to apologize, make promises, and so on.
- Compromise is a mutual concession, and that the conflict is in this case, now it will be clear. At the same time, each of the subjects is satisfied with the solution found.
- Coercion or confrontation. The interests of the other party and its opinion are not taken into account, there is an active confrontation.
- Cooperation . The parties sit down on the negotiating table and together look for ways out of the impasse.
Consequences of conflicts
The outcome of the confrontation can be the most sad. Conflicts in the family can lead to divorce, clashes in the work team - to reduce the volume of goods and services produced. Negative sides of the conflict include the undermining of trust between the parties, and the clash tends to deepen, expand and lead to open conflict, and if this happens in society and the world, then a war is possible.
How to avoid conflict?
There are so many ways to protect yourself from open confrontation. We need to raise the level of our literacy and adherence to principles. After all, the more important a person comes to moral and moral upbringing, the stronger is his desire to resolve the situation peacefully, not arranging hysterics and not switching to individuals. Awareness of the conflict is already a step towards finding a way out of it. Even at the earliest stage, when there is only tension, it is possible to proceed to negotiations, and further analyze the situation and avoid problems.
How to resolve the conflict?
This process consists of three stages:
- Collision diagnosis.
- Search for a strategy for resolving disagreements.
- Implementation of a set of methods.
The resolution of the conflict begins with the identification of the problem and its discussion. It is necessary to listen to each of the parties and begin to search for a solution variant that would suit both, carefully sorting out all its positive and negative characteristics. It is required to clarify all details of the implementation of the treaty, options for action in the event of force majeure. In the future it is necessary to act according to the adopted plan.
Methods for resolving conflicts
They aim to eliminate or minimize the causes that gave rise to the collision, and to correct the behavior of the participants:
- Intrapersonal methods are designed to help a person protect their interests, without infringing on the position of the opponent.
- Structural methods are applied in organizations and include clarification of claims for work, existing systems of remuneration and punishment, etc.
- Interpersonal methods.
- Methods for resolving conflicts include negotiations.
- Response aggression.
How not to lose in the conflict?
In the wise proverb: "Make way - be smarter" contains the whole meaning. Often making a step forward, accepting a person with all its advantages and disadvantages, you can win. Rules of conduct in the conflict are always the same - you must try to understand the other, his motives, be honest with yourself and tolerant of others. Sometimes it is useful to bring a third to the dispute, who will give an impartial assessment of the situation and establish contact with each of the parties. Well, the most important thing is to treat your opponent with respect and respect your face in any situation.