S.H.E.E.P.P.T. One way (of many) to examine specific issues of conflict.

One way to examine a particular conflict is to apply the SHEEPPT acronym. Social Social History History Economic Economic Environment Environment Physical Physical Political Political Technological Technological

How to best use SHEEPPT When you are “stuck” SHEEPPT is a good way to help move your thinking along. When you are “stuck” SHEEPPT is a good way to help move your thinking along. SHEEPPT will also help you flesh out your paragraphs (don’t try to write a paragraph for each acronym – focus on the ones that really apply to the conflict being examined). SHEEPPT will also help you flesh out your paragraphs (don’t try to write a paragraph for each acronym – focus on the ones that really apply to the conflict being examined).

Social How does society react to and deal with the conflict? How does society react to and deal with the conflict? What are the formal ways of dealing with conflict? What are the formal ways of dealing with conflict? What are the informal, often unspoken, ways of dealing with conflict? What are the informal, often unspoken, ways of dealing with conflict?

History What is the history of this conflict? What is the history of this conflict? How does understanding the history of the conflict help with resolving the conflict? How does understanding the history of the conflict help with resolving the conflict? Can the history of a conflict predict it’s outcome? Can the history of a conflict predict it’s outcome?

Economic How does money, and the love of money, impact the conflict? How does money, and the love of money, impact the conflict? What is the economic solution? What is the economic solution?

Environmental: Is there an environmental component to this conflict? If yes, explain what it is. Is there an environmental component to this conflict? If yes, explain what it is. How does the conflict impact on the immediate environment? How does the conflict impact on the immediate environment?

Physical What is the physical nature of the conflict? What is the physical nature of the conflict? Think about more than just domestic violence or war. For example, how does internal conflict play itself out physically? Think about more than just domestic violence or war. For example, how does internal conflict play itself out physically?

Political Is there an obvious political aspect to the conflict? Is there an obvious political aspect to the conflict? Or does this conflict involve “politicking” ie the playing of mind games with words in order to get ones own way? Or does this conflict involve “politicking” ie the playing of mind games with words in order to get ones own way?

Technological How does technology fuel the conflict? How does technology fuel the conflict? How could technology aid the resolution? How could technology aid the resolution?