Topic 15: Conflict

Question 1

What is conflict?

Answer 1

“A process in which one party perceives that its interests are being opposed or negatively affected by another party. “

Question 2

How can we categorise conflict?

Answer 2

• Task conflict: disagreements about what/how to do things.
• Relationship conflict: disagreements about personal behavior, actions.

Question 3

How can we categorise triggers to conflict?

Answer 3

• Personality & role clash.
• Organizational triggers.
• 3rd party influence.

Question 4

What is the perspective of conflict model? What does it include?

Answer 4

• Competitive conflict.
• Avoidance of conflict.
• Positive conflict.

Question 5

What are the elements of competitive conflict?

Answer 5

• Belittle differences
• Seek win-lose situation
• Blame
• Suspect

Question 6

What are the elements of ‘Avoidance of conflict”

Answer 6

• Evade differences
• Reduce risks
• Withdraw
• Despair

Question 7

What are the elements of positive conflict?

Answer 7

• Value diversity.
• Seek mutual benifit.
• Empower.
• Take stock.

Question 8

How can conflict be approached?

Answer 8

• Interest based:
  
  • Focus on principles & core issues.
  • No assigned blame.
• Rights based:
  
  • ​View conflict as search for justice
  • Relies on legal concepts, precedent and common practise.
• Power based:
  
  • Attempts to take what is wanted through power.

Question 9

What models cover managment of conflict?

Answer 9

• The duel concern model
• Structural and process approaches

Question 10

Show and explain the duel concern model

Answer 10

Two axis:

• Assertiveness
• Cooperativeness

Produce four elements:

• Competing
• Collaborating
• Avoiding
• Accomodating

Question 11

How can dysfunctional conflict be minimised?

Answer 11

• Emphasise superordinate goals.
• Reduce differentiation.
• Improve communication and understanding.
• Reduce task interdependence.
• Increase resources.
• Clarify rules and procedures.

Question 12

What is the contact model? Applications?

Answer 12

Model:

• Based on decategorisation or weakening of seperate group identities.
• Communication within groups and lack of communication between groups contributes to group identities
• Can be used to improve communication and understanding (Dysfunc. conflict).

Applications:

• Increase contact between groups.
• Formal policy of civility and respect.

Question 13

What model shows how super-ordinate goals can be emphasised to reduce dysfunctinal conflict?

Answer 13

The duel social identity model.

Membership of the super-ordinate category is emphasised over group membership.