Consider the specifics of interpersonal relationships: structure, elements, functions, dynamics. Contradictions occur not only in the family, in production, but also between states, therefore this issue is relevant and timely.
Features of contradictions
The functions of conflict are an important aspect that allows a deeper understanding of the relationship between the parties. Without such an awareness, it is difficult to understand the depth of the contradictions, to look for an option for resolving them.
Constructive Functions of Conflict
Among them are:
- Cognitive. The emergence of a conflict situation is a symptom of dysfunctional relations between subjects, a manifestation of the emerging contradictions.
- Developing. It is the conflict that acts as a tool for resolving emerging contradictions.
- Instrumental. Contradictions are a tool for solving problems.
- Perestroika. With the help of conflict, it is possible to remove factors that undermine interpersonal interactions, which stimulates the formation of normal relations between participants in the dialogue.
Destructive Functions of Conflict
They are associated with the following parameters:
- the destruction of existing joint activities;
- collapse or worsening of relationships;
- poor health of the parties to the conflict;
- minimal effectiveness of subsequent cooperation.
Advantages and disadvantages
We highlight the positive functions of the conflict. These include a reduction in tension between the warring parties. The conflict makes it possible to obtain new information about the opponent. The team of the company is rallying in the fight against one external enemy.
Among the advantages of conflict situations, one can also note stimulation to development and changes, elimination of the submissive syndrome among subordinates, and diagnostics of additional opportunities.
With the right approach to the problem, you can determine the causes of the problem, eliminate them, go to a new level of relationship.
Now we highlight the negative functions of the conflict. They involve significant emotional, material costs from all participants. The result of the contradictions is the dismissal of employees, a decrease in the psychological and social climate in the team, and a decrease in labor discipline.
Based on the results of the conflict, an idea is formed of the defeated entities, as well as of their opponents (“enemies”).
The negative functions of the conflict are destructively reflected in the cooperation between individual members of the team, it is rather difficult to restore business relations after a problem situation.
Elements and structure of interpersonal conflict
A systematic study of conflicts made it possible to identify individual elements in them:
- subjects with their personal characteristics, goals and motives;
- supporters of the situation;
- the reason for the contradictions.
The functions of the conflict characterize the relationship between the individual elements. Since the components of conflicting relationships are systematically changing, we can talk about the constant development of the conflict.
It can cause dissatisfaction and a decrease in labor efficiency, cause unproductive competition with other people considered as hostile groups.
Strengthening such qualities leads to the fact that instead of solving a specific problem, significant importance is attached to achieving "success" in the current conflict. It not only weakens communication, but also causes the destruction of business relationships.
The specificity of destructive functions
The negative function of social conflict is that the contradictions prevent you from achieving your goals. Destruction leads to the following consequences:
- dissatisfaction, poor state of mind, staff turnover, deterioration in the quality of labor;
- reducing the degree of cooperation in the future, the destruction of the system of established communications;
- absolute devotion to the group and unproductive competition with other parts of the team;
- ideas about the other side of the conflict as an enemy;
- complete termination of relations between the parties;
- increasing hostility between groups, the appearance of hostility and hatred between them;
- emphasis shift;
- the possibility of preparing for the next round of conflict, forcibly solving the emerging problem.
Important points
Analyzing the main functions of the conflict, we note that the destructiveness and constructiveness of relationships is important to consider in certain situations:
- in the absence of clear criteria for differences between them;
- in the course of a conflict situation, serious changes in relations are observed.
Sometimes the line between the pluses and minuses in the relationship is lost, which can cause different consequences for both sides of the conflict.
Typology of conflict
Given the organization of society, the formation of conflict situations occurs at a certain level:
- between individuals;
- in groups;
- large subsystems or systems;
- by states.
In social psychology, the following types of conflicts of an individual are distinguished. In this case, acute negative experiences of a person arise, which are generated by conflicting desires.
For example, in Freud's psychoanalysis, such a conflict is seen as the result of a contradiction between moral feelings, instinctual impulses, and real requirements. By their nature and content, such situations are caused by contradictions of motives, interests, and self-esteem of the person. They are accompanied by negative experiences, serious emotional stress.
Interpersonal conflict can be constructive and destructive in nature, lead to positive or negative consequences for the individual.
Its base can be various reasons:
- contradiction of basic needs;
- the difficulty of choosing between different behaviors.
The functions of political conflicts are connected with a serious misunderstanding between state bodies and structures.
An example of such conflicts is the armed invasion of one state on the territory of another country. The reasons that lead to such situations may be different:
- desire to master material and natural resources;
- thirst for the development of new territories;
- an attempt to prove their advantage over rivals.
Conclusion
Recently, inter-ethnic conflicts based on national characteristics are increasingly emerging. They are the most dangerous, often accompanied by armed attacks between the parties to the relationship.
There is a horizontal classification of conflicts. At the same time, participants in the relationship are employees who are not subordinate to each other.
Vertical relationships arise between the boss and subordinates. Psychologists distinguish various types of conflicts, given the specifics of their appearance, participants in situations.
For example, H. Bisno identified six options:
- conflicts of interest arising from the interweaving of obligations;
- forced disagreements that are intentionally created by the individual to achieve the goal;
- falsely correlated, confusing for reasons and content;
- illusory conflicts based on misunderstanding and incorrect perception of the situation;
- substituted contradictions in which antagonism is directed at the individual;
- expressive conflicts involving hostility between individuals.
American psychologist M. Deutsch proposed his classification of conflict situations. He paid attention to the conflict of interests between the participants, the random appearance of contradictions, mixed and false conflicts. Of course, regardless of the type of problem situation, its causes, the specifics of the course, it is important to take adequate measures in a timely manner. In the absence of proper attention to contradictions, the situation is aggravated, which leads to serious problems.
For example, in the event of serious conflicts between the employer and his immediate subordinates, a negative attitude towards the manager often appears. He loses credibility in the eyes of employees, it is difficult for him to establish business relations. This is reflected in the performance of the company. For commercial entities, conflict may result in bankruptcy.
With the appearance of misunderstanding between state structures in the country, serious contradictions are usually outlined, they negatively affect the economic and political situation of the state. This often leads to serious armed clashes between states, the death of civilians.