Conflict Management

Conflictology is a science that studies the types of conflicts, their structure, as well as ways to prevent and resolve them.

It can be said that conflicts or quarrels are an important part of our lives. Sometimes they are able to move from a dead point relations that have reached a dead end. They help to relieve tension and remove barriers in communication.

However, most of the contradictions that develop into violent quarrels destroy communication, especially when it comes to working interaction.

Consider different types of quarrels and ways that make conflict management as effective as possible.

Two kinds of conflicts

At the heart of any of them lies the contradiction between differently directed aspirations.

Contradictions can be within a person's consciousness (the presence of opposing goals or desires). In this case, they talk about an intrapersonal conflict.

Also, contradictions can arise between people or social groups. Then it is a question of social conflict.

Intrapersonal conflict is a rather severe negative experience based on contradictory connections with the surrounding world. As a result, a person experiences difficulties in making a decision, being in a situation of painful choice.

With intrapersonal conflicts, psychologists work, helping a person deal with doubts and make the right decision.

Social conflicts are at the heart of the serious contradictions that have arisen between people.

Management of social conflicts is an important skill of any leader, whose duties are to create a favorable working atmosphere in the team.

Contradictions can be both temporary and protracted. If it is a question of conflicts at the enterprise, they can create serious hindrances to the working process.

Despite the fact that quarrels in the family sometimes are necessary to identify the accumulated discontent and help to resolve the contradictions, the constant emotional outbursts between the spouses can lead to cooling in the relationship. And frequent skirmishes between parents and children negatively affect the development of the personality of the latter.

Consequently, the ability to manage conflicts is absolutely necessary in everyday life and in the workplace.

Methods for managing conflicts

The structure of the quarrel is a gradual increase in emotional tension, during which the person seeks the guilty to throw off negative emotions on him.

When the voltage reaches a peak, an emotional outburst occurs, in which the individual does not perceive the arguments of others. He believes that he was right in everything and was undeservedly offended. Then the tension begins to subside, and gradually the state is normalized.

The management of conflicts must take into account the specifics of their flow.

There are five ways to resolve controversial situations, each of which can be used in different circumstances.

1. Avoidance. This method is based on the termination of communication. The person either physically leaves, or switches the conversation to another topic, trying to divert the opponent's attention from the painful topic. It is used if the very subject of the conflict is not so important, and they can be sacrificed for the sake of maintaining good relations. Sometimes this is the only way to stop the quarrel in the event of a strong emotional outburst of one of the opponents.

2. Adaptation. This method involves the full or partial acceptance by one of the parties in dispute of the claims of the other party. Sometimes a person can only pretend that he agrees with the conditions to get a breather. This method is applicable in the event that one of the opponents is stronger than the other, or has power. For example, if there is a conflict between the subordinate and the boss.

3. "War to the last patron." This strategy can hardly be called a solution to the conflict. Rather, it is a way of behaving in a controversial situation, when the subject of disagreements is extremely important for both sides, and they can not make concessions. In this case, the management of conflicts is carried out by a third party, or the disputants diverge, remaining in their opinion. In family relationships, this way of behavior is often very destructive and can lead to divorce.

4. Compromise. This strategy involves mutual concessions. It can be used if the participants in the conflict are not emotionally captured and can argue their point of view. One of the most effective ways to resolve contradictions.

5. Cooperation. In this case, both sides should realize that they are involved in one common cause, and already proceeding from this, resolve contradictions. It is very important to be able to analyze the reasons for your actions. Both opponents should try to understand each other and stop perceiving the other side as an enemy. In this case, complete mutual understanding will be achieved.

So, conflict management involves using one of these strategies, depending on the particular situation. Both in the family and in the enterprise, each of these methods can contribute to overcoming contradictions and restoring harmony in relations between people.