We all live in society and communicate with a large number of people. This communication is not always pleasant. Quite often, people conflict, trying to defend their opinion or get what they want. Perhaps for some it is surprising, but the conflict can be represented as a clear structured system. Psychology pays great attention to its study. This science is called conflict resolution and is taught in higher education institutions, as well as in special seminars.
Conflictology: definition and meaning
Psychologists and psychotherapists consider conflictology one of the most important scientific disciplines. She studies the problem situation from all sides - helps to highlight the object and subject of the conflict, teaches to regulate it and finish it. In the modern world, such knowledge can be very useful not only for specialists, but also for ordinary people.
As practice has shown, people who own the basics of conflict management get more pleasure from communication and advance faster on the career ladder. We think this is a sufficiently weighty argument in order to spend our time studying the essence of conflicts in society.
Conflict is a subject of conflictology
Most often, a conflict is understood as a process, the termination of which is the end of the dispute itself. But, besides this, he has his own structure, it does not depend on the circumstances and the size of the conflict situation. Moreover, the fact that without the components of the structure the situation itself cannot exist is interesting. It is a quantity that is simultaneously part of the conflict and its “fuel”, without which the situation goes out and loses its meaning.
Sometimes, instead of the word "conflict", the phrase "conflict situation" is used. These values are pretty close, but not identical. Yes, they have exactly the same structure. But the conflict situation is just part of the conflict - a cast reflecting the entire structure of the conflict as a whole.
Structure: object, subject and parties to the conflict
Since we have already found out that the conflict has its own clear structure, we can conclude that it lends itself to analysis. It is analysis that helps to complete the conflict by identifying all structural components and identifying the needs of all participants in the situation. In this case, it is very important to find out the connections between them and the conditions in which the conflict takes place directly.
The structure of the conflict situation itself looks quite simple:
- object and subject of conflict;
- its members;
- environment in which the situation develops.
In fact, the apparent simplicity of the conflict structure hides many pitfalls. Therefore, we offer to analyze all the items in more detail and in detail.
Subject of conflict
The study of the structural vertical is impossible without a detailed analysis of all its parts. Determining the subject of conflict can be quite difficult even for experienced professionals. Moreover, it is not always conflictology that separates objects and objects of a conflict situation, but this is simply necessary. Otherwise, it will be practically impossible to resolve the situation and find out the needs of all participants. After all, the subject, participants in the conflict and the object are in constant interaction and are firmly connected with each other.
The subject of conflict is understood to mean the disagreements and contradictions between the parties to the dispute, presented in the form of an obvious or fictitious problem. Moreover, on all sides of the conflict its subject can be completely different, which does not prevent the parties from fighting for their goals. The subject of conflict can be various material values, religious beliefs, social status and other moments. It should be borne in mind that without an object, any quarrel is simply impossible, it is an essential part of the conflict structure. We can say that this is the very contradiction that served as the trigger for the situation. The elimination of these contradictions leads to the reduction of disagreements to a zero level of aggression.
Most often, the subject of conflict is hidden in the depths of the structure, it is difficult to determine immediately. In many situations, the length of a dispute is determined by the fact that its subject remains veiled. It is worth considering that the subject is a moving quantity. In prolonged conflict situations, contradictions have the properties to develop at a certain amplitude. Before its completion, the dispute goes through several stages of attenuation and acceleration, which indicates some instability of the contradictions.
Conflict subject example
For those who find it difficult to understand what the subject of conflict is, an example will help to correctly analyze the conflict situation. Imagine two young men competing because of the girl’s attention. One wants to be with her, but the other is simply not ready to give her to an opponent. The desires of both guys are a subject of conflict. Although they are related to one object, the difference between them is obvious.
Another example is the hypothetical situation with the introduction of a schedule in a large company with an extended working day. This topic is discussed at a meeting, and communication is gradually turning into a fierce debate. In this case, the subject of conflict is the motivation of opponents and advocates of innovation. Moreover, each participant in the conflict, it can be completely different.
What is an object of conflict?
The object of the conflict situation can be called what it happened. In some cases, it is understandable and does not require time for its identification, while in others it is more difficult to isolate it than the subject and subject of the conflict.
The cause of the conflict (or object) may be a spiritual, material or social value. In any case, a quarrel arises because of the desire to possess this object alone - it rises at the intersection of the interests of all participants in the process. Surprisingly, there are a lot of options for building a controversial situation. Most of them are formed when one side is ready to divide the object to end the situation, but the other resists and insists on the indivisibility of the object. Solving a similar problem is quite difficult.
Types of Conflict Objects
When approaching the analysis of the conflict, one should not forget that objects can differ among themselves not only in structure, but also in type or type. Most often, the following definitions of the typical affiliation of a conflict object are found:
- illusory;
- true;
- false;
- relevant;
- latent etc.
Do not dwell on each species individually. It is enough to know that the definition of the type of object in some situations becomes the dominant value in the introduction of a dispute in the final stage.
Examples of highlighting objects and objects of conflict
Remember that it is impossible to overcome the situation without selecting the subject and object of the conflict. The example of a conflict situation given in our article will help you learn to classify and highlight the structural components of a problem. Imagine that two kids in a sandbox are fighting for a toy left by a third. One wants to play with her in the sandbox, and the other wants to take her home. Here the toy appears to be an indivisible object of the conflict, despite the fact that it does not belong to any of the participants in the situation. But the intentions of children are a subject of conflict.
Quite often, these two concepts are confused with each other, which interferes with the solution of the problem. By highlighting a false object, you can for many years lose the opportunity to overcome the conflict and embark on a path of mutual understanding.
The difference between subject and object
In order to have the ability to resolve conflict situations, it is necessary to clearly understand that the subject of the conflict and its object have a number of differences. They can be summarized as follows:
- The resolution of the problem is possible only by eliminating its subject. The object of the conflict does not affect the end of the situation. It is likely that the elimination may occur simultaneously, but the dispute that no longer has the subject will be considered settled. For example, quarrels over a prize may not subside in a team even after it is distributed. In this particular situation, the prize is an object, but the desire to receive it is an object in a conflict situation.
- The conflict can only be something real, because contradictions and struggles are expressed in certain actions. Whereas an object can have many forms and is often illusory.
- The object of conflict may be hidden for a long time, but the subject is always very specific and defined. As an example, the situation with children's insults related to the object of conflict is well suited. They are often incomprehensible to parents and seem inconsequential. But the expression of this resentment by the child is the subject of a controversial situation, and parents always notice and understand these manifestations.
I would like to say that the first time it’s quite difficult to penetrate the differences between the object and the subject of the conflict. Therefore, if you cannot do this, do not be discouraged - over time, the structure of problem situations will become much clearer.
Parties to the conflict
Any dispute is impossible without participants. Moreover, there can be several parties, the minimum number of participants is two. They are also called the core of the conflict, in such a structure the loss of one of the participants automatically terminates the situation.
Individuals, groups and associations, government agencies and entire governments of countries may be participants in disagreements. The structure of the conflict does not change from the status of its participants. Conflictology conditionally divides them into several large groups:
- The main participants in the conflict, or actors
The subjects of the conflict are warring parties and commit active actions against each other. If there are two participants, the appearance of the third and subsequent, as well as their disappearance does not affect the outcome of the conflict.
In order to solve the problem faster, it is necessary to identify the initiators of the situation. Moreover, the initiator can have a positive and negative color, this does not affect the process, but clearly characterizes the parties.
2. Support groups
Behind each subject is a specific support group. It can consist of individuals and organizations or be represented by a certain social stratum. A support group can be directly involved in a conflict situation and influence it. Groups can also have the status of tacit support or mediator.
3. Other participants
The list of these persons is very extensive. Each participant contributes to the development of the conflict. For example, there are organizers of a conflict situation planning their beginning and development. They interfere with it from time to time and do not change the balance of power of opponents.
Almost all participants from this group do not have a serious impact on the conflict situation. It is worth noting that the scenario of the conflict is more dependent on the rank of its main participants. Currently, they are represented by three groups.
Ranks of subjects of conflict
Classification of ranks introduced by the power characteristics of the subject. The first rank is considered the weakest, and the third is considered the strongest. It is the power characteristic that determines the boundaries of the conflict and its scenario. So:
- First rank
These entities are represented by private individuals. Their confrontation is most often interpersonal. Arguments based on personal motivation are used as strength. Such conflicts are short-lived, but pronounced.
2. Second rank
In this case, the participants in the conflict are social groups or associations. Sometimes the interests of the group are represented by a private person, but it is motivated by the interests of the whole community. In such situations, the confrontation can last a long time, and the arguments in disputes are the power resources of a large group of people who support one idea or pursue a single goal.
3. Third rank
Subjects of a conflict situation are public organizations. Moreover, the motivator of action and argument is supragroup interest. The forces and resources of such parties to the conflict are constantly replenished, we can say that they are unlimited.
I would like to clarify that the ranks are not static. At different stages of a problem situation, subjects can have completely different ranks.
Meaning of conflict
Do not perceive the conflict only from the negative side. It carries a lot of advantages. Psychologists consider conflict situations an impetus to the development of society. For example, any problem that has grown into a dispute leads to a relaxation of tension in society. In addition, it allows you to scan any situation and determine the balance of power in one particular social group or in various communities.
Not everyone is able to understand the structure of the conflict. But those who are fortunate enough to master this useful knowledge feel much more confident and happier in life. After all, for them there are no insoluble situations.