1. INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT
Elements of conflict

2. DEFINITION
Conflict is an expressed struggle between at least two interdependent parties who perceive incompatible goals, scarce rewards and interference from the other party in achieving their goal.

3. Interpersonal Conflict
Elements of conflict:
An expressed struggle
Perceived incompatible goals
Perceived scarce rewards
Interference
Interdependence

4. a) Expressed Struggle
It is through communicative behaviour that conflict is recognised, expressed experienced and managed.
Conflict is often identified when one party openly disagrees with the other.
Sometimes an interpersonal struggle is expressed by avoidance.

5. b) Perceived Incompatible Goals
Opposing goals are a fact of life.
Not all goals are incompatible.
c) Perceived Scarce Rewards
When rewards are perceived as scarce, an expressed struggle may be initiated.
Some rewards that are scarce or seen as scarce are love, promotion, jobs, respect, care, positions, money, power, self-esteem and land.

6. Perceived Scarce Rewards
Love
Promotion
Jobs
Respect
Care
Positions

7. Money
Power
Self-esteem
Land

8. d) Interference
Clarifies for the conflicting parties that the conflict is engaged.
Exists because we are interdependent on one another.
e) Interdependence
Conflicting parties engage in an expressed struggle and interfere with one another because they are interdependent.
Each person’s choices affect the other because conflict is a mutual activity.
In all conflicts, interdependence carries elements of competition and cooperation.

9. Interdependence
carries elements of:
competition
cooperation
Most relationships move back and forth between degrees of independence and interdependence

10. While still in competition with each other for promotions, they also must define for themselves a workable relationship that enhances desired goals for both of them.
At times, there will be an emphasis on “me” [what I want / my separateness], while at other times, “we” [our nature as a unit] - becomes the focus of attention.]

11. List one element of positive conflict and one element of negative conflict.
Encourages change or allows for clarification of ideas.
Negative conflict
Does not encourage communication and carries with it resentment and stress.

12. Scenario 1: Two friends may both be avoiding each other and are aware that they are engaging in avoidance because both think, “I don’t want to see him for a few days because of what he did.”
Element of conflict: Expressed struggle

13. Scenario 2: The head cashier of a company said, “All our problems would be solved if we could just get some carpet, since everyone’s feet get tired; we’re the ones who have to stand up all day. But management won’t spend a cent on us.” Her statement of incompatible goals was clear: carpet vs. no carpet.
After some probing, another goal emerged. She began to talk about how no one noticed when her staff had done good work and how the “high-ups” only noticed when lines were long and mistakes were made.
She then said, “How about some compliments once in a while? No one says anything nice. They don’t even know we’re here.”
Her stated goals have changed to include not only the carpet, but self-esteem and increased notice by management – a significant deepening of the goal statement. Both goals are real, carpets and self-esteem. But the first goal may be incompatible with the management’s desire, while the second may not.
Element of conflict: Perceived incompatible goals

14. Scenario 3: Close friends often think that if their best friend likes someone else too, then the supply of affection available to the original friend will decrease. This may or may not be so, but the perception that affection is scarce may well create genuine conflict between the friends.
Element of conflict: Perceived scarce rewards

15. Scenario 4: Often, children fight with one another over the perceived scarcity of their teacher’s attention. Or they fight with the teacher, resulting in a gain of that resource – attention. The child would rather get negative attention than none at all.
Element of conflict: Perceived scarce rewards

16. Scenario 5: You refuse to cooperate with your housemate.
Element of conflict: Interference

17. Scenario 6: Your parents do not send you the money you are expecting.
Element of conflict: Interference

18. Types of Conflict CONFLICTS arises when opinions, values, expectation or needs differ.

19. Both constructive conflict and destructive conflict can be classified into four types. They are:
Internal Conflict
Within the individual
Needs not met
Unable to accept a particular experience or feeling the situation generates
Caused by internal emotions

20. External Conflict
Between people
Can cause incidents with others
Misunderstandings and bad feelings
Uncomfortable with person(s) concerned

21. Realistic Conflict
Can be resolved if parties are willing
Can produce positive results
Acknowledges opposing interests/needs
Realistic conflict management may lead to better relationships

22. Unrealistic Conflict
Cannot be resolved since parties are not open to change
No room for negotiation
Based on differences in values and attitudes
Arises from ignorance, traditions and prejudice

23. Activity
Work in pairs and share with the tutorial group an interpersonal conflict found in one of the following situations:
 a) In a family b) Between two students c) Between worker and superior

24. Types of Conflict
Identify the type of conflict arising from each situation below.
Ah Seng and Benny have very different personalities but they manage to work things out.
John expects all his colleagues to be meticulous because he is a perfectionist.

25. Types of Conflict
Mary and Siew Ling are not on speaking terms because of a small misunderstanding.
A job interviewer believes arts students tend to be creative while engineering students tend to be pragmatic.
Ali has difficulty explaining to his grandparents the lifestyle of teenagers today.

26. The End