Dynamics of Conflict

What good is conflict?

If handled constructively it
can
help us learn new and better ways to respond to problems
help us build better and more lasting relationships
help us learn more about ourselves and others
lead to stronger group identity
lead to a stronger sense of community
lead to better communication

The Conflict Loop

Convictions

Conflict

Results

Our Response
This can be negative and/or positive. How?

Conflict Loop Worksheet

Individually place a quick draw of your

conflict in the middle of the loop
Title your conflict
In complete sentences tell me about your
convictions about this conflict
Tell me what type of conflict this was
Tell me your response
Tell me the results or effects of this conflict

Conflict Loop Worksheet

Pair and discuss

How did I contribute to the conflict?

What could I have done differently?
Is this a common pattern for me in conflict?
What parts of my belief system contributed to this
conflict happening like it did?

Write your answers down in complete

sentences

Breaking the Conflict Loop

Lets review the elements to break a negative conflict loop (write this
down)
If we want to break the Negative conflict
Be Aware
loop, we must be able to:
Be Able to Support

Be Willing

Be Open to Learn

BE AWARE: of the patterns we are in an

The fact that our personal responses to
conflict can change, and probably should

BE WILLING to change our behavior, to try new ways of dealing with

conflict
BE OPEN TO LEARN new skills that will help us respond to a new
way when conflict occurs
BE ABLE TO SUPPORT others who are trying to make the same
changes we are trying to make

09/17/07

Vocabulary: Types of
Conflicts

Intra within
Inter between
Intrapersonal conflicts
Interpersonal conflicts
Intragroup conflicts
Intergroup conflicts

Types of Conflicts

Intra within

Inter between

Intrapersonal conflicts - those occurring within the

person, involving decisions that an individual
must make about personal goals, use of time,
moral questions, etc. (someone who feels bad
because he knows he should get out and watch
TV has an intrapersonal conflict)

http://www.clipartheaven.com/clipart/education_&_schools/cartoons/taking_notes.gif

Types of Conflicts

Intra within
Inter between

Intrapersonal conflicts

Interpersonal conflicts - These are more visible to

outsiders. They occur between two or more
individuals. They can be fights, arguments, or
differences of opinion. (Sandra wants to use the
car to go to her after-school job but her mother
plans to use the car to go grocery shopping.
These two are having an interpersonal conflict
because their needs conflict.)
http://comedyindc.com/logos/couch%20potato.jpg

Types of Conflicts

Intra within
Inter between
Intrapersonal conflicts
Interpersonal conflicts

Intragroup conflicts - these conflicts occur between

individual members of the same group (team, family.) A
school facility that is divided over whether students
should be allowed to leave at lunchtime is experiencing
an intragroup conflict.

Types of Conflicts

Intra within
Inter between
Intrapersonal conflicts
Interpersonal conflicts
Intragroup conflicts

Intergroup conflicts - these occur between groups,

regardless of the size of the groups (classes, teams,
nations). A conflict between two gangs, each
representing a different neighborhood, would be an
example of an intergroup conflict.

Your task
Read and respond to each situation.
Identify what type of conflict they are
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
Intergroup
Intragroup

Identify which type of conflict each statement describes.

Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
Intergroup
Intragroup
a. _____________Occurs between two individuals with equal power
b. _____________Occurs between groups. Regardless of the groups size
c. _____________ Occurs within the individual
d. _____________ Occurs between individual members of the same group
e. _____________ The chicks and hens fight over the last inch of shade in
the yard
f. _____________ Joseph and his brother disagree over the referees call

Human Relations
Conflict
The Causes of Conflict
Resources
Psychological Needs * add the world emotional
Values
Your oldest sister moves away from home, her room becomes
available. You and your twin brother have shared a room your
entire lives, and you want to move into your sisters room, but
your mom wants to use the space for her sewing room

What causes this conflict?

Is this type easier to solve than others? Why?
What type(s) do you think are the most difficult to
resolve?

Match the cause to the conflict

Psychological Needs (P)

Resources ( R)

Values (V)

a. ________ Workers fight to keep the farm upon which they work
b. ________ Catholics and Protestants fight in the streets of Belfast
c. ________ Iraq attacks Kuwait for Kuwaits huge oil reserves
d. ________ When her older sister goes off to college, Judith wants
the bigger bedroom
e. ________ The people of Washington want the Redskins to win in
order to show how great their city is