Theories of Conflict Interaction

1
Theories of Conflict Interaction

• Folger, Poole Stutman Chapter 3

2
Theories of Conflict Interaction

• Interaction perspective emphasizes several
  questions
• What patterns exist in conflict interaction?
• What rules or structures do people use to make
  interpretations and construct social meanings in
  conflict situations?
• How do people use messages to accomplish their
  goals in conflicts?
• Which factors influence how sequences of moves
  unfold in conflict interaction?

3
Social Exchange Perspective

• Basic assumptions
• Guiding force behind behavior is self-interest.
• Distributive justice (rule of fairness to the
  other in relationships)
• Rewards and costs stem from an exchange of
  resources among participants during interaction.
• i.e., liking, love, status, information, etc.
• Based on an economic model

4
Prisoners dilemma (activity)
5
Findings from social exchange research

• Focus on the role of strategic calculation in
  conflicts
• Emphasizes the importance of interdependence in
  conflicts
• Provides a picture of conflicts as moves and
  counter moves
• Shows that rewards and costs associated with
  moves depend not only on direct, instrumental
  gains, but also on the effects the moves have on
  the relationship.

6
Phase Models of Conflict

• Conflicts move through recognizable phases
• Rummels Five Stage Model
• Latent
• Initiation stage (triggering event)
• Open Conflict
• Settlement leads to a balance of power
• Disruption stage (restarts the cycle)

7
Phase Models of Conflict

• Pondy (1967) 5 Stage Model of Organizational
  Conflict
• Latent conflict
• Perceived conflict
• Felt Conflict
• Manifest Conflict
• Aftermath

8
Phase Models of Conflict

• Bargaining phases
• Distributive bargaining
• Problem Solving
• Decision Making

9
Phase Models of Conflict

• Insights from stage models
• Conflicts have a definite pattern or rhythm.
• Same messages, behaviors or interactions can have
  different meanings in different stages.
• Highlights the importance of triggering events.
• Conflict often includes a testing period.
• Main weakness of phase models
• Overly simplisticmany times conflicts dont
  neatly follow the stages

10
Interdependence

• Basic types of interdependence
• Promotive (gains by one party promote gains by
  the other)
• Contrient (ones gain is anothers loss)
• Individualistic (perceive no interdependence)

11
Intergroup Conflict Research

• Theories of natural differences dont explain why
  groups are in conflict (i.e., nationalities)
• Roots of intergroup conflict lie in the basic
  need for human identity.
• Social categorization define ourselves through
  our groups
• Communication plays a key role in social
  categorization

12
Intergroup Conflict Research

• When people accept social categories, they act
  according to those categories
• This creates a self-reinforcing cycle
• Pluralistic ignorance both sides are mistaken
  about the other, but neither is aware they are
  mistaken
• Culturally defined roles influence interaction
• i.e., gender and conflict
• Communication dynamics reinforce we-they
  polarization

13
Conclusion

• Each of these theories provide pieces to the
  puzzle of understanding conflict.
• Evaluate and choose theories for their utility in
  helping explain and manage conflicts.