1. Conflict within Groups Outline l What is conflict? l Sources of conflict in groups: –I. Personal conflict –II. Substantive conflict –III. Procedural conflicts –IV. Competition –V. Social dilemmas

2. Conflict l What is it? –Disagreement, discord and friction that occurs when the actions or beliefs of one or more members of the group are unacceptable to and resisted by one or more other group members. l Is it always bad? –Can be valuable

3. I. Personal Conflict l Personal conflict –Interpersonal discord when group members dislike each other l People explain conflict by blaming others negative qualities

4. Implications for Group Composition? l Group members may vary on –ability, experience, opinions, values, race, personality, ethnicity... l In which groups is there more conflict? –Heterogeneous or homogeneous groups? l Heterogeneous groups can capitalize on range of resources/viewpoints but have greater conflict.

5. II. Substantive Conflicts l Disagreements over issues that are relevant to the group’s real goals and outcomes l What are these used for? –Making plans, increasing creativity, solving problems, deciding issues and resolving conflicts of viewpoints l Can turn personal –Confederate who interrupted the group with no excuse provoked animosity

6. III. Procedural Conflicts l Disagreements over the methods the group should use to complete its basic tasks –Disagreeing on how to disagree! l What do groups do to avoid this? –Adopt formal rules, bylaws, constitutions, mission and procedure statements. Robert’s Rules of Order

7. IV. Competition and Conflict l Competition –Situation in which any one member of the group will succeed only if another member of the group fails l Cooperation –Situation in which the success of any one member improves the chance of other members succeeding l Competition promotes conflict –Sabotage other, criticize them, withhold info.

8. Mixed-Motive Situations l Most situations: –Motive to compete and the motive to cooperate l Laboratory technique: –Prisoner’s dilemma game (PDG) l Interactive prisoner's dilemma Interactive prisoner's dilemma l Interactive prisoner's dilemma Interactive prisoner's dilemma

9. Confesses Doesn’t confess Doesn’t confess John Jane

10. Prisoner’s Dilemma Game l Most people choose to compete l But, it depends on other things… l For example, –SS sitting in cubicles- 56% competed first trial –SS sitting face to face--- 20 % competed l Over time norm of reciprocity sets in –Negative reciprocity is stronger than positive reciprocity

11. V. Social Dilemmas l Social dilemmas –Individuals must choose between maximizing their personal outcomes and maximizing their group’s outcomes l Dividing resources –Equity norm Distributing resources in proportion to inputs –Equality norm Distributing resources equally among all members

12. Resource Dilemma l Tragedy of the commons l Resource dilemma (social trap) –A situation that tempts ppl to act in ways that will benefit them but will prove detrimental in the long run to them and the group

13. Tragedy of the Commons l “Therein is the tragedy. Each man is locked into a system that compels him to increase his herd without limit - in a world that is limited. Ruin is the destination toward which all men rush, each pursuing his own interest in a society that believes in the freedom of the commons.” (Hardin, 1968)

14. Resource Dilemma l Lab simulations –Group (4-5) given opportunity to draw tokens –Tokens renewable after each harvest –People act in self interest l What can help? –Experience and communication! –Study with group of 3 ppl (Brechner, 1977) Half could communicate, half couldn’t –People did better when could communicate –80% who couldn’t communicate bankrupted within first minute!