1. The Nature of Conflict
Conflict is “a disagreement between two or more people who have differences in goals or methods for dealing with a situation”
Normal
Natural
Necessary

2. Sources of Conflict Scarce resources have to be allocated
People perceive interference from others
People feel disrespected by others
People have different goals for a situation
People have different preferences for how to achieve the same goal

3. Conflict and Interdependence
Conflicts usually happen when expectations for interdependence are violated
The more interdependent the relationship, the more likely conflict becomes
The way interdependence is negotiated often determines the outcome of the conflict (and the health of the relationship)

4. Functional and Dysfunctional Conflict
Functional (helpful or constructive)
Open
Honest
Calm
Focused
Flexible
Energizing
Creative
Dysfunctional (not helpful or destructive)
Closed
Deceitful
Tense
Proliferation
Rigid
Draining
Stupifying

5. Communication and Conflict
Communication and conflict are always linked since conflict is “an expressed struggle”
Communication creates conflict
Communication reflects conflict
Communication manages conflict

6. Functional Conflict and Diversity
Functional Conflict Depends on How we Respond to Difference
Do you appreciate the inevitability of difference?
Do you value difference?
How comfortable are you with change?
Do you try and reduce your uncertainty about people who are different from you?

7. Conflict and Face
Threats to Identity are an important cause of conflict and are likely to result in face-saving that leads to dysfunctional conflict
Adds an issue to the conflict
The issue is often hidden or implicit
Conflict escalates dramatically

8. Strategies to Avoid Making Face Threats
Describe behaviors rather than judging the person
Try to find a shared solution rather than telling others what and how to behave
Convey a belief in the equality/value of the other
Try to remain open-minded

9. Attributions and Conflict
The judgments we make about others determines how we deal with them in conflict
Purposive v. reactive
Internal v. external
Some common biases occur
Egocentric attribution bias
Fundamental attribution error

10. The Attribution Cycle in Destructive Conflict
A behavior occurs
We judge/evaluate the behavior as purposive and intentional
We assess the other as “difficult”
We look for additional evidence of our assessment
We “find” it
We feel confirmed in acting out against the other
We shut down communication with the other