Conflict, as a rule, is understood as a clash of opposing opinions, interests, and so on. Conflict can cause big trouble, but it can also positively affect the situation that has developed under certain circumstances.
Conflict patterns may vary. People are very different from each other. Of course, in a conflict situation, everyone behaves differently. Psychology knows the basic strategies for behavior in conflict. They can be useful, as they help to calculate the further behavior of a person in a similar situation.
Strategies for human behavior in conflict
We are talking about the orientation of a person or group of people in relation to the unfolding conflict.
Strategies for conflict behavior may include the following:
- evasion of him. Many people do not tolerate conflict situations and try to avoid them in every possible way. Often they pretend that there is no conflict. As a rule, they deny it even when it is obvious. Those who avoid the conflict hope that it will disappear on its own, that is, without a clash with the opposing side, without clarification of relations and any complications. This tactic can lead to a person becoming unbearable. The bottom line is that conflicts only rarely end on their own;
- fixture. Often people do not want a conflict, but instead of resolving it openly, they try to make concessions to the opposing side and thereby smooth out the situation. Often they begin to neglect their own interests. A party that is trying to adapt can also pretend that the problem does not exist, however, unlike the above-described strategy of behavior in the conflict, it will try to take measures to change its position. This strategy can only be justified if the subject of disagreement is not as important as relations with an opponent;
- cooperation. This strategy allows you to find a way out of a conflict situation through an open discussion of the situation. In this discussion, both parties have the same opportunity to present and try to prove their position. This strategy will be effective only if the parties try to analyze each other's arguments, and not just express their opinions. Well, if they jointly try to find a solution that would help to adequately get out of this situation. Most often, the parties resort to rivalry when the subject of disagreement is equally important to them;
- confrontation. Each of the parties in this case insists on its opinion and does not want to concede any position. Retaliatory aggression only adds fuel to the fire and makes the conflict more intense, emotional, and strong. The parties can influence each other with the help of power, psychological pressure and so on. Opponents can easily resort to physical strength. Often participants get the feeling that they are solving a more important issue than they really are. Losing this kind of conflict can be perceived as a personal failure. The confrontation begins, as a rule, when both sides begin to put their interests above the others. The result may be permanently damaged relationships and inability to further social interaction with each other;
- a compromise. In this case, the conflict is settled through concessions to which both parties agree. In fact, there are no winners or losers. Compromise is not the best tactic in conflict, as participants can harbor an internal resentment that will manifest itself sooner or later.
The behavioral strategies in conflict are different. It is useful to think a little and do an introspection about how you yourself get out of conflict situations.