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RD300 Lecture #1

RD300 Lecture #1. The Nature of Conflict 29 August 2001. What is CONFLICT?. A term used to mean a variety of things. A struggle over values and claims to scarce status, power and resources in which the aims of the opponents are to neutralize, injure or eliminate their rivals.

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RD300 Lecture #1

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  1. RD300Lecture #1 The Nature of Conflict 29 August 2001

  2. What is CONFLICT? • A term used to mean a variety of things. • A struggle over values and claims to scarce status, power and resources in which the aims of the opponents are to neutralize, injure or eliminate their rivals. • The opposition between individuals or groups on the basis of competing interests, different identities, and /or differing attitudes.

  3. Every conflict is set in a context.You cannot resolve a conflict without understanding its context.Conflict resolution methods must be melded to the specific context.

  4. Resolving conflict is not a simple matter.Some conflicts last for generations (e.g. ethnic wars).

  5. Conflicts may involve: • Individuals • Groups • Institutions

  6. Categorizing Conflict • Conflicts in which the parties have failed to recognize a solution. These are amenable to traditional and alternative dispute resolution methods. • Intractable or deep-rooted conflicts. Very difficult to resolve. Typically involve deep feelings and values and often have extended histories (e.g. Northern Ireland).

  7. Perceived Conflict • “Conflict does not only come about when values or needs are actually, objectively incompatible, or when conflict is manifested in action; it exists when one of the parties perceives it to exist” (Tillett, 1991, p.8).

  8. The Value of Conflict • How one views conflict depends largely upon how conflict is valued. • Schelling (1980) distinguished between: “those that treat conflict as a pathological state and seek its causes and treatment, and those that take conflict for granted and study the behavior associated with it” (p.3).

  9. A society without conflict is a dead society (Coser, 1957). Agree or disagree?

  10. Is Conflict Bad? • Stimulates new thoughts. • Promotes social change. • Defines group relationships and boundaries. • May prevent withdrawl of group members. • Creates new associations and coalitions. • Helps form our sense of personal identity. • Many nation states were forged through bitter social conflict.

  11. What is the nurture versus nature debate regarding conflict?

  12. The Origins of Conflict • Three basic theory types: • Inherency - biological/genetic basis, cannot be prevented. • Contingency - external forces influence behavior. • Interactionist - behavior depends upon inherent and contingent factors.

  13. Question: What is the most common institutional method employed in an effort to resolve conflicts and disputes? • Question: Why do we need additional methods for resolving conflicts?

  14. Three Traditions of Conflict Resolution • Organizational development and management science; • International relations; and • Alternative dispute resolution.

  15. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) • A set of procedures and processes designed to provide alternatives to adjudicated settlement of conflicts. • ADR - Popular approaches to resolving environmental disputes.

  16. Questions to Ask About a Specific Conflict • Is this a good conflict? • What are the sources of this conflict? • Do the skills and resources required for resolution exist? • Is there a desire to engage in resolution?

  17. Cultural Considerations • Western methods of conflict resolution may not be appropriate or effective in other cultures.

  18. BRAINSTORMING • A small group activity. • Produce as many ideas as quickly as possible. • Emphasis on quantity not quality. • No criticism of ideas when given. • Build on other people’s ideas. • Nominate a recorder of the group’s ideas.

  19. How many causes or sources of environmental conflicts can you identify? Work in your group for 10 minutes. Who is your recorder/reporter? Remember: No censuring of ideas!

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