Ways and efforts to resolve conflicts in different types of Communication

Define conflict

Conflict is defined as a serious disagreement or argument, typically protracted one.

Types of Conflict

Conflict is classified into the following four types:

Interpersonal conflict

It refers to a conflict between two individuals. This occurs typically due to how people are

different from one another. We have varied personalities which usually results to incompatible

choices and opinions.

Intrapersonal conflict

It occurs within an individual. The experience takes place in the person’s mind. Hence, it is a

type of conflict that is psychological involving the individual’s thoughts, values, principles and

emotions.

Intragroup conflict

It is a type of conflict that happens among individuals within a team. The incompatibilities and

misunderstandings among these individuals lead to an intragroup conflict. It arises from

interpersonal disagreements (e.g. team members have different personalities which may lead to

tension) or differences in views and ideas (e.g. in a presentation, members of the team might find

the notions presented by the one presiding to be erroneous due to their differences in opinion

Intergroup conflict
It takes place when a misunderstanding arises among different teams within an organization. For

instance, the sales department of an organization can come in conflict with the customer support

department. This is due to the varied sets of goals and interests of these different groups.

Phases of conflict

A conflict has five phases

Prelude to conflict - It involves all the factors which possibly arise a conflict among individuals.

Lack of coordination, differences in interests, dissimilarity in cultural, religion, educational

background all are instrumental in arising a conflict.

Triggering Event - No conflict can arise on its own. There has to be an event which triggers the

conflict. Sometimes also due to differences in cultural backgrounds.

Initiation Phase - Initiation phase is actually the phase when the conflict has already begun.

Heated arguments, abuses, verbal disagreements are all warning alarms which indicate that the

fight is already on.

Differentiation Phase - It is the phase when the individuals voice out their differences against

each other. The reasons for the conflict are raised in the differentiation phase.

Resolution Phase - A Conflict leads to nowhere. Individuals must try to compromise to some

extent and resolve the conflict soon. The resolution phase explores the various options to resolve

the conflict.