Conflictology is a science that studies the types of conflicts, their structure, as well as ways to prevent and resolve them.
We can say that conflicts or quarrels are an important part of our life. Sometimes they are able to move deadlocked relations. They help relieve stress and remove barriers to communication.
However, most of the contradictions that develop into violent quarrels destroy communication, especially when it comes to working interaction.
Consider the various types of quarrels and methods that make conflict management as effective as possible.
Two types of conflicts
At the heart of any of them is a contradiction between multidirectional aspirations.
Contradictions can be inside the human mind (the presence of opposing goals or desires). In this case, they talk about intrapersonal conflict.
Also, contradictions can arise between people or social groups. Then we are talking about social conflict.
Intrapersonal conflict is a rather serious negative experience based on conflicting relationships with the outside world. As a result, a person has difficulty making a decision while in a situation of painful choice.
Psychologists work with intrapersonal conflicts, helping a person deal with doubts and make the right decision.
Social conflicts are based on serious contradictions that have arisen between people.
Social conflict management is an important skill of any leader whose duties include creating a favorable working atmosphere in the team.
Contradictions can be both temporary and protracted. When it comes to conflicts at the enterprise, they can seriously interfere with the work process.
Despite the fact that quarrels in the family are sometimes necessary to identify accumulated discontent and help to resolve the contradictions, constant emotional outbreaks between spouses can lead to a cooling in the relationship. And frequent skirmishes between parents and children negatively affect the development of the personality of the latter.
Therefore, the ability to manage conflicts is absolutely necessary both in everyday life and in the workplace.
Conflict Management
The structure of the quarrel is a gradual increase in emotional tension, during which a person searches for the guilty person in order to dump negative emotions on him.
When the tension reaches a peak, there is an emotional outburst in which the individual does not perceive the arguments of others. He believes that he is right in everything and was undeservedly offended. Further, the voltage begins to subside, and gradually the state normalizes.
Conflict management should take into account the features of their course.
There are five ways to resolve disputes, each of which can be used in different circumstances.
1. Avoidance. This method is based on the termination of communication. A person either physically leaves or transfers the conversation to another topic, trying to distract the opponent’s attention from the painful topic. It is used if the subject of conflict itself is not so important, and it can be sacrificed in order to maintain good relations. Sometimes this is the only way to end a quarrel in the event of a strong emotional outbreak of one of the opponents.
2. Fixture. This method involves the full or partial acceptance by one of the contending parties of the claims of the other. Sometimes a person can only pretend that he agrees to the conditions in order to get a respite. This method is applicable if one of the opponents is stronger than the other, or if it has power. For example, if there was a conflict between the subordinate and the boss.
3. "War to the last bullet." This strategy can hardly be called a way to resolve the conflict. Rather, it is a behavior in a controversial situation, when the subject of disagreement is extremely important for both parties, and they cannot make concessions. In this case, the conflict management is carried out by a third party, or the disputants disagree, remaining in their opinion. In family relationships, this behavior is often very damaging and can lead to divorce.
4. The compromise. This strategy involves mutual concessions. It can be used if the participants in the conflict are not emotionally captured and can argue their point of view. One of the most effective ways to resolve conflicts.
5. Collaboration. In this case, both parties must realize that they are involved in one common cause, and already proceeding from this, resolve the contradictions. Here, the ability to analyze the causes of their actions is very important. Both opponents should try to understand each other and stop perceiving the opposite side as an enemy. In this case, full understanding will be reached.
So, conflict management involves the use of one of these strategies, depending on the characteristics of the situation. Both in the family and in the enterprise, each of these methods can help to overcome contradictions and restore harmony in relations between people.