Conflicts between people inevitably arise. It is impossible to find two people whose opinions would completely coincide.
On the one hand, this is bad, and on the other hand, the presence of several points of view on the situation allows us to evaluate it from different angles and find the most optimal solution to the problem or task. Paradoxical as it may seem, the correct resolution of the conflict can even strengthen and improve relations between people.
Conflict Behavior
In order to correctly overcome a conflict situation, it is necessary to choose the optimal line of behavior, but this is not easy at all. As a rule, only one certain line is inherent in each person, which he prefers not to change.
The question of human behavior in conflict situations was closely dealt with by the American psychologist Kenneth Thomas. He evaluated people's actions according to two criteria:
- How much does a person seek to defend his own interests in a dispute (assertiveness).
- How much a person is inclined to take into account the interests of others (cooperation).
As a result of long research, the psychologist was able to identify five standard types of human behavior in a conflict situation. Subsequently, in collaboration with Ralph Kilman, he developed a special Thomas-Kilman test to determine which of these patterns of behavior is most characteristic of a person.
Description of the technique
In many sources, this questionnaire is often called briefly - the Thomas test. Its description will take only a few lines.
Each of the five ways of responding to a conflict is described using 12 judgments, and they, in turn, are randomly grouped into 30 pairs. The test subject will have to choose from each pair of statements one that seems most true to him.
The text of the questionnaire itself is widely known and it will not be difficult to find it. For all its simplicity, the Thomas test, the results of which may turn out to be completely unexpected, can bring tangible benefits and greatly facilitate the understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the individual.
Interpretation of Results
The key to the test is a special table, with which you can determine what type of behavior in a conflict the subject is most inclined to. Having learned this type, one can easily predict how the conflict will develop and what needs to be done to resolve it as soon as possible.
Thomas’s methodology assumes that each person is inclined to act in a conflict situation according to one of five scenarios. For extra clarity, they can be compared with the behavior of an animal:
- Shark - competition, competition.
- Teddy bear - adaptation, the desire to resolve the conflict.
- Turtle - evasion of conflict, its avoidance.
- The fox is a compromise.
- Owl - cooperation.
Each of these scenarios has its positive and negative sides, and all of them are not universal, that is, they cannot constructively influence all conflict situations without exception.
Competition
The “shark” man is inclined in everything to follow exclusively his interests, absolutely not interested in the opinions of others. He does not recognize compromises and believes that the victory of one always means the complete defeat of the other. Trying to achieve his goal, such a person, without hesitation, will go over their heads. In his arsenal there may even be not quite legal and ethical actions; he can easily decide on deception, forgery or provocation. "Shark" always seeks to possess the entirety of information about the enemy, but will never care about his good name or spiritual comfort.
Such a line of behavior can only be justified in an insignificant number of cases. Most often this happens in acute crisis situations, when a person vested with certain powers must very quickly restore order and present any result. In all other cases, the behavior of the "shark" is unacceptable and can quickly destroy any long-term relationship - both working and personal.
Such dangerous inclinations will easily help identify the Thomas test. Conflict human behavior is a serious problem for others, and therefore, in dealing with him, special care will need to be taken.
Device
The complete opposite of the "shark" is the "teddy bear." A person prone to this type of behavior can easily give up his interests in favor of an opponent. As a rule, this is the lot of people with low self-esteem, sincerely believing that their opinion should not be taken into account.
Such a line of behavior may be successful if the subject of the dispute is not of great importance. Yielding to an opponent, you can maintain friendly relations with him, and the consequences of the conflict will be minimal. However, the refusal to defend one’s interests in any important dispute may negatively affect the events of a person’s life. He runs the risk of losing the respect of others and being known as spineless. Such people often become objects for manipulation.
If the Thomas test reveals a tendency to adapt, a person urgently needs to start working on his self-esteem, and behavior will change with its increase.
Avoidance
Humans - “turtles” can not stand conflicts, but because they are trying in every possible way to postpone or avoid clarification of relations. This position is characterized not only by the inability to defend one’s interests, but also by extreme inattention to the interests of others. Such a person prefers to hide from the problem, rather than trying to solve it. The reason for this is self-doubt and the victim's complex.
This option can be justified if the cause of the conflict is insignificant for both parties. In any serious situations, it can lead to a further increase in misunderstanding between people and an even greater accumulation of mutual claims. Such a protracted confrontation for both sides sooner or later ends with an explosion of emotions and a stormy showdown. The sad consequences of this may be irreversible.
If the Thomas test showed such a result, a person should be bolder and not be afraid of problems. It is important to understand that only the solved problem disappears, the unsolved one deprives a person of strength and makes his life absolutely unbearable. You can’t hide from this.
Compromise
Sly "foxes" are always trying to negotiate with the enemy. However, partial satisfaction of the requirements of both parties, as a rule, does not lead to the end of the conflict and serves only as a respite.
The weak point of the compromise position is its complete dependence on the opponent’s position, and if he is not ready to give up even the smallest part of his interests, the fox will invariably be the loser. It may also happen that the opposing side unnecessarily overestimates their demands, and then “generously” surrenders them to the level that it actually needs. That is why, before compromising, it is necessary to have all the possible information about the subject of the dispute, so as not to be overwhelmed.
People whose testing showed such a result should be more decisive and more direct in defending their own interests.
Cooperation
The most optimal way to resolve the dispute is to find a solution that would fully satisfy the claims of both parties. For this, undoubted diplomatic abilities and wisdom are needed. That is why people prone to such a line of behavior, conditionally called "owls."
Owl people prefer not to get involved in the outside of the conflict, but try to understand its root cause. In addition, they know how to be honest with their opponent and perfectly adapt to his manner of communication. Thanks to such tactics, they easily turn the enemy into a partner, and the conflict is quickly settled through constructive negotiations.
If the Thomas test showed this result, you can safely congratulate a person. In his life there should not be any major quarrels and conflicts, and his own insight will help him achieve a lot.
Test value
The Thomas-Kilman test is often used to test employees for hiring. By its results, it is easy to judge the behavior as a whole. The methodology of Thomas allows you to evaluate what position a person will choose in relations with colleagues and superiors. Also, this information will give an idea of how the appearance of a newcomer will affect the overall atmosphere in the team.
Passing the Thomas test will be useful to everyone. It will help to soberly evaluate your own behavior and understand what exactly prevents you from successfully resolving disputes and staying in good relations with others.