4.21 - Origins of Conflict
The nature and characteristics of conflict
Conflict refers to disputes that emerge from interactions between individuals or groups due to perceived incompatibilities. These disputes are cognitive, arising from perceptions of incompatibility.
Defining features of conflict
- Multiple parties involved - Conflict requires at least two distinct individuals or groups.
- Scarce or valuable resources - Disputes often arise over limited resources.
- Mutually opposed goals - The parties involved have aims that cannot be achieved simultaneously.
- Potential for harmful behaviour - Conflict can lead to actions intended to harm or undermine the other party.
Levels of conflict
- Inter-personal conflict - Occurs between individuals.
- Inter-group conflict - Takes place between different social groups.
- International conflict - Involves disputes between nations.
Types of issues leading to conflict
- Issues of interest - Groups may agree on a common goal but disagree on the methods or strategies to achieve it.
- Issues of value - These involve fundamental disagreements over zero-sum situations, where one group's gain is another's loss, making resolution particularly challenging.
Explanations for the origins of conflict
Various theories attempt to explain why conflicts arise, focusing on social dynamics and competition for resources. Two prominent theories are Social Identity Theory (SIT) and Realistic Conflict Theory (RCT).
Social identity theory
SIT suggests that conflict stems from prejudice where conflict against out-groups arises from individuals identifying themselves as members of in-groups. If the status of an in-group is low or gaining access to valuable resources difficult, conflict between groups arises.
Key features of SIT:
- In-group bias - Individuals tend to favour their own group.
- Out-group hostility - Negative attitudes towards out-groups can lead to conflict.
Research support:
- Tajfel (1970) suggests that perceiving in-group members as superior to out-group members leads to conflict, supporting SIT.
Realistic conflict theory
RCT posits that conflict emerges when social groups compete for limited resources that only one group can obtain. Out-group members are negatively stereotyped and treated with hostility.
Key features of RCT:
- Resource competition - Conflict intensifies when resources are scarce.
- Reduction through shared goals - Hostility can be reduced by establishing interdependent, cooperative goals.
Research support:
- Sherif et al. (1961) suggests conflict arises from hostile groups competing for resources, with conflict resolved through cooperatively working towards shared goals, supporting RCT.
Types of behaviour arising from conflict
Conflicts can manifest in various behaviours, depending on the environment and the nature of the dispute.
Behaviours in conflict situations
| Type of behaviour | Description | Cost to parties |
|---|---|---|
| Persuasion | Use of reason, references to shared values and norms of fairness. Verbal discussions occur. | Low cost to all parties. |
| Coercion | Reference to unacceptable costs and/or threats of violence. Verbal and physical behaviour occur. | High cost to all parties. |
| Reward | Promises of benefits to other groups. Use of verbal and physical behaviour. | Some costs incurred in paying out rewards. |
Influence of environment on behaviour
- Structured environment - Conflicts managed in a structured environment, where behaviour occurs through agreed norms, are carried out in a cooperative manner that seeks to find shared goals.
- Unstructured environment - Conflicts occurring in an unstructured environment of no shared goals concern zero sum conflicts and are conducted in a hostile, competitive manner that can lead to violence.
Methods and strategies for conflict resolution
Resolving conflicts involves replacing disagreement and incompatibility between groups with cooperation and interdependent goals.
Approaches to resolving conflict
- Replacing disagreement with cooperation - Encouraging dialogue and understanding to transform perceptions of incompatibility.
- Establishing interdependent goals - Creating situations where groups must work together to achieve a common aim.
- Three-step collaborative conflict resolution - A practical method for dealing with conflict.
- Interactive conflict resolution - Another effective means of dealing with conflict.
Cultural considerations in resolution
Methods of conflict resolution lack culture bias, as differences in cultural backgrounds and perceptions are taken into account in order to amicably settle disputes between dissimilar groups.
Evaluation of research into conflict origins
Strengths of research on conflict origins
- Identification of key factors - Research has identified the key factors involved in the origins of conflicts, permitting effective means of resolution to be constructed.
- Practical applications - Understanding the causes of conflict has led to effective methods like collaborative and interactive resolution techniques.
Limitations of research on conflict origins
- Laboratory-based studies - Research into conflict origins tends to be laboratory-based and so lacking in ecological validity, making generalizations to real-life situations difficult.
- Simplified scenarios - Experimental settings often oversimplify the dynamics of conflict.