According to the Foundation Coalition, conflict occurs when two parties have competing ideas, needs, goals or values. People's response to conflict determines whether the conflict will be effectively resolved or will gradually escalate. When conflicts escalate, they can lead to nonproductive results and, in some cases, disrespectful or violent interactions.
"Fight or Flight" Response
According to the Foundation Coalition, humans are physiologically predisposed to respond to conflict with a "fight or flight" response. The "fight" reaction occurs when individuals protect their interests by behaving aggressively. The "flight" reaction occurs when people avoid conflict by withdrawing from the situation. However, while aggression and avoidance are the most common responses to conflict, people can choose other modes through which to resolve issues and problems.
Modes of Conflict
According to the Foundation Coalition, the level of assertiveness and cooperation influences the responses to conflict. Competing is the most assertive mode of conflict, and this approach often results in arguing, debating and protecting your self-interests. Avoidance, on the other hand results in low assertiveness and cooperation, and issues often remain unresolved. Accommodating modes of conflict resolution involve one party acting selflessly and yielding to the desires of the other party. The final two modes, compromising and collaborating, work toward a middle ground. When parties compromise, they both make concessions to reach a resolution. When parties collaborate, they attempt to combine ideas to construct the most positive outcome possible.
Additional Considerations
Power dynamics and power distribution can have a big influence on responses to conflict, according to both the Foundation Coalition and the Conflict Information Consortium at the University of Colorado. A party who feels he has less power in a conflict might react differently than a party who wields more influence. Factors such as gender and cultural background also influence an individual's approach to conflict.
Creating a Conflict Management Plan
You can plan a response to conflict ahead of time, especially if you find that you often grow aggressive or avoidant during disagreements. Learn to identify when you are having a conflict, and create a list of steps you can take to communicate your needs and resolve the conflict constructively. According to the Foundation Association, when people acknowledge that they are having a conflict and understand their personal responses, they are often better able to reach a constructive outcome.
Expert Insight
Experts at both the Conflict Information Consortium and the Foundation Coalition note that active listening skills play an important role in how people respond to conflict. When people have strong listening skills, they can receive and interpret messages and information from the other party, and this builds mutual understanding. When parties lack the proper listening skills, communication can be blocked and conflict will often escalate.
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