CONFLICT
Conflict is a form of confrontation between two or more parties
resulting from a situation where these two or more parties or
interdependent groups or systems have incompatible goals.
Conflict is inevitable and it occurs every moment in every day
operation and relationships or any form of interaction. Conflict
may arise as a result of individuals pursuing multiple goals as
well as striving at incompatible goals. This definition of conflict
shows the nature of the inevitability in the relationship
between two or more parties or individuals. It further shows
that one may find out that one's aspiration may not be
compatible with that of others, this leads to frustration and
when such frustration gets to a climax then crises will emerge.
It's important to note that not all conflict situations are
negative in the sense that some facilitate a transition which
creates opportunity for change or even development,
differences in opinion may not necessarily lead to conflict
between two parties but better understanding in a case where
the differences are being settled amicably.
There are 3 general categories of the causes of conflict:
1. Communication
2. Organisation structure
3. Personal variable
1. Communication: has to do with semantics difficulties, the
fact that words do not mean the same thing to everyone who
uses them. A semantic misunderstanding can easily lead to
conflict.
2. Organisation structure: has to do with group interdependent
in the sense that the greater the degree of interdependent the
greater is the likelihood of communication difficulties. Greater
interdependent also increases the possibility that the parties
involved need to share resources, so if the resources are scarce
or the resources are not properly shared, then the probability
of conflict will increase.
3. Personal variable: personality types contribute to conflict in
the sense that we are different human beings therefore our
personality and when we want to be identified also differ if we
do If we do not Take time to under study or recognise it, we are
bound to misunderstand each other and this may lead to
conflict. Value systems also differ in our daily interaction with
each other and the way and manner we prioritize our values
are also different and also requires that since values are often
incompatible, we need to come to a compromise (agreement).
Identifiable causes of conflict
1. Communication failure
2. Value differences
3. Methodological differences
4. Lack of cooperation
5. Differences regarding responsibility
6. Non compliance with rules
7. Personality conflict
8. Goal differences
9. Sub standard performance
10. Differences regarding authority
11. Competition over resources
Stages of conflict
1. Pre-conflict stage
This is the period when goals between parties are incompatible
which could lead to open conflict, this is like a cold war period
where the parties involved try to pretend that there is no crisis
on ground but at this point, communication is undermined
between them.
2. Confrontation stage:
At this stage, the conflict become open or manifest. This stage
is categorised by occasional fighting, low level of violence,
search of allies by conflicting parties, mobilization of resources,
3. Crisis stage
This stage represents the peak of the conflict, in violent conflict
this is the stage of war and intense fighting leading to killings,
injuries, large scale population displacement.
4. The outcome stage
There's an assumption that all conflict will pass through this
stage one way or the other, either one side wins or another
loses or a ceasefire may be declared. At this stage, one party
may surrender or the government and other second party
intervening forces stronger than the warring parties intervene
to impose the solution and stop the fighting. The critical issue
at this stage is that the violence is decreased which allows room
for some discussion to commence or alternative means of
settling the conflict.
5. Post-conflict stage
Post-conflict stage
At this stage the violence has either ended or significantly
reduced and the parties have gone past the crisis stage.
This is the stage to address the underlying causes of the conflict
that is those incompatible goals which created conflict in the
first instance such as the needs and fears of the parties because
if they are not tackled at this stage, the conflict circle may be
re-enacted and return to the pre conflict stage which will be
back to square one.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
It's about resolving conflict inorder to bring about durable
settlement. The need for cooperative behaviour in our school,
workplaces and every aspect of life calls for processes that
would assist in bringing about a harmonious environment for
every day living. Human beings have always attempted to
regulate and settle conflict by recourse to a variety of
strategies. These include:
1. Rule of law: Which emphasizes abstract principles of justice
2. Political Agreement
3. Religious authority: which emphasizes morality and divine
guidance
4. Brutal Military Force.
The conception of conflict, it's management and resolution
have led to terms such as peace making, conflict prevention,
third party intervention and the purpose of mediation and
negotiation, peace keeping, peace enforcement and peace
building, preventing diplomacy.
PEACE
peace is generally defined as the absence of war, care, conflict,
anxiety, suffering and violence and generally about peaceful
coexistence. It's primarily concerned with maintaining just
order in the society and the resolution of conflict in the society
by non violence means. "Miller and king defined peace as the
political condition that ensures justice and social stability
through formal and informal institutions practices and norms.
Categories of peace
1. Peace as the absence of war
2. Peace as justice and development ( absence of structural
violence)
3. Peace as respect and tolerance between two people
4. Inner peace (spiritual peace)
5. Peace as wholeness and making whole (complete peace)
THEORIES OF CONFLICT
Theories described as human behaviour or guidelines to
analyse behaviour and situation. Theories of conflict are
frameworks for understanding conflict especially the causes of
conflict, the condition under which conflict occurs and
sometimes the condition for their resolution.
A theory is defined as an idea, fact or principles which are
analysed in relation to one another so as to be able to explain
situations otherwise known as phenomenon.
A theory is seen as a framework for explaining what is going on,
it must explain why a certain subject matter is the way it is and
also explain why a subject matter has certain characteristics.
1. Attributive theorem of conflict
This theorem states that "in analysing conflict, people look at
the cause of the action by attributing it to the characteristics,
attitudes and intention of the people involved. This shows that
people put blames and responsibilities on others and not
themselves which eventually causes conflict or results into a
conflict situation.
2. Confrontation Episode theorem
The theory first of all suggests that before conflict can be
discussed, it is important to find out the legitimacy of the rule
guiding the relationship (between the people involved) there is
a need to look at the relationship of the parties in the first
place, are they friends or just acquainted.
The theory also suggests that conflict emanates from social
confrontation as a consequence of denying good behaviour,
rules and regulations and responsibilities.
3. The Coordinated Management Meaning Theorem (CMM)
This theorem emphasis that the meaning of conversations
depends on the context or nature of the relationship between
the discussants including their self-concept, cultural
background, educational background and level of exposure.
These indicate to the uniqueness of an individual based on the
qualities mentioned above comes into play in understanding
what someone is saying. This theory provides the basis for
identifying and understanding how the same event can have
different meaning for parties involved and then how this
meanings affects their actions. In conflict management and
analysis, the above mentioned qualities and life patterns of the
parties are surveyed and understood.
4. Social Influence Theorem
According to this theorem, the use of aggressive verbal acts
may be necessary when someone finds justification for it, in as
much as verbal aggressiveness is frowned at, people can still
get coercive - to use force- without getting the condemnation
that goes with it because they can find justification for it. This
theory states that not all coercive acts are perceived as
aggressive.
5. Integrative theory
This theory emphasizes on the problem that is on ground and
the resolution and management of crisis, the theorem calls for
problem solving (dialog and collaboration) at the end of the
day, the choice of the method used in resolving a particular
conflict will affect the outcome and the level of satisfaction.