CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND MANAGEMENT: PEACE EDUCATION

SS 2 GOVERNMENT
3rd Term
4th Weeks

CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND MANAGEMENT: PEACE EDUCATION
Meaning: Conflict resolution means a process of resolving dispute or disagreement. It mainly aims at reconciling opposing arguments in a manner that promotes and protects the human rights of all parties concerned.
Types:
1.    Avoidance conflict style:It is characterized by changing or avoiding the topic, or even denying that a problem exists. This style is used when an individual has withdrawn in dealing with the other party, or when one is uncomfortable with conflict. During conflict, these avoiders adopt a “wait and see” attitude, often allowing conflict to phase out on its own without any personal involvement. By neglecting to address high-conflict situations, avoiders risk allowing problems to fester or spin out of control.
2.    Yielding conflict style
In contrast, yielding, “accommodating”, smoothing or suppression conflict styles are characterized by a high level of concern for others and a low level of concern for oneself. This passive pro-social approach emerges when individuals derive personal satisfaction from meeting the needs of others and have a general concern for maintaining stable, positive social relationships. When faced with conflict, individuals with a yielding conflict style tend to harmonize into others’ demands out of respect for the social relationship.
3.    Competitive conflict style
The competitive, “fighting” or forcing conflict style maximizes individual assertiveness (i.e., concern for self) and minimizes empathy (i.e., concern for others). Groups consisting of competitive members generally enjoy seeking domination over others, and typically see conflict as a “win or lose” predicament. Fighters tend to force others to accept their personal views by employing competitive power tactics (arguments, insults, accusations or even violence) that foster intimidation.
4.    Conciliation conflict style
The conciliation, “compromising”, bargaining or negotiation conflict style is typical of individuals who possess an intermediate level of concern for both personal and others’ outcomes. Compromisers value fairness and, in doing so, anticipate mutual give-and-take interactions. By accepting some demands put forth by others, compromisers believe this agreeableness will encourage others to meet them halfway, thus promoting conflict resolution. This conflict style can be considered an extension of both “yielding” and “cooperative” strategies.
5.    Cooperation conflict style
Characterized by an active concern for both pro-social and pro-self behavior, the cooperation, integration, confrontation or problem-solving conflict style is typically used when an individual has elevated interests in their own outcomes as well as in the outcomes of others. During conflict, cooperators collaborate with others in an effort to find an amicable solution that satisfies all parties involved in the conflict. Individuals using this type of conflict style tend to be both highly assertive and highly empathetic. By seeing conflict as a creative opportunity, collaborators willingly invest time and resources into finding a “win-win” solution. According to the literature on conflict resolution, a cooperative conflict resolution style is recommended above all others. This resolution may be achieved by lowering the aggressor's guard while raising the ego.

Causes of conflict

1.    Personalities: Organizational strife is sometimes traced to "personalities." This is one person differing with another based simply on how he or she feels about that person.  

2.    Sensitivity/hurt: This occurs when a person, because of low self-esteem, insecurity, or other factors in his or her personal life, sometimes feels attacked by perceived criticism or other interpersonal directness.

3.    Differences in perceptions and values: Most conflict results from the varying ways different people view the world. These incongruent views are traceable to differences in upbringing, culture, race, experience, education, occupation, socio-economic class, and other environmental factors.

4.    Differences over facts: A fact is a piece of data that can be quantified or an event that can be documented. Arguments over facts typically need not last very long since they are verifiable. But a statement like,’ It is a fact that you are insensitive to my feelings," is neither documentable nor quantifiable, and so is actually a difference in perception.

5.    Differences over goals and priorities: An argument about whether a bank should focus more resources on international banking or on community banking is a disagreement over goals. Another example would be whether or not to increase the amount of advanced professional training given to tellers.  

6.    Differences over methods: Two sides may have similar goals but disagree on how to achieve them. For example, how should advanced teller training be conducted? 

7.    Competition for scarce resources: Two managers might argue over who has the greater need for an assistant, whose budget should be in- creased more, or how to allocate recently purchased computers.  

8.    Competition for supremacy: This occurs when one person seeks to outdo or out- shine another person. You might see it when two employees compete for a promotion or for comparative power in your organization. Depending on personalities, this type of conflict can be very subtle sometimes. 

9.    Misunderstanding: The majority of what looks like interpersonal conflict is actually communication breakdown. Communication, if not attended to with care, is as likely to fail as to succeed. And when it does, a listener's incorrect inferences about a speaker's intent often create inter- personal conflict.

10.  Unfulfilled expectations: Many of the causes listed above contribute to one person not fulfilling the expectations of another. Unfulfilled expectations are the ultimate cause of divorce, firings, and other forms of relational breakdown. The major reason that expectations go unfulfilled is that they are unreasonable, inappropriate, too numerous, or unstated.  

Consequences of conflict resolution
1.       Peace
2.       Restitution
3.       Better understanding between the two parties
4.       Cooperation between the two parties
5.       Respect for each other
6.       Appreciation of each other

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