Conflict Emergence: After a period of tension or latent conflict, an event has triggered the conflict to emerge out into the open.
Conflict Escalation: The conflict begins to intensify. The focus is on winning the conflict and developing tactics and strategies to defeat the other side.
Stalemate: The conflict reaches a point where neither side is moving towards accomplishing their goals, but both sides are unwilling to back down.
De-escalation: De-escalation often occurs as both sides realise the cost of the conflict is too high to maintain. Both sides begin to shift their goals.
Dispute Settlement: Grievances and goals from both sides are addressed and settled permanently or for the time being.
Post-Conflict: The focus is on repairing and maintaining right relationships.
Source: Brahm, Eric. "Conflict Stages." Beyond Intractability. Ed. Guy Burgess and Heidi Burgess. 9 September, 2011. Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA.<http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/conflict_stages/?nid=1068>.
For many of us these stages of conflict can easily be seen when looking at a conflict with a spouse, family member or close friend. We live with tension in all our relationships. Much of this tension results from the different perspectives and preferences people hold. The issues are often small or not worth bring up to address openly. Occasionally, though, the tension rises to the point of frustration and needs to be addressed or a pattern of relationship has formed where an unfair balance of power exists. This can lead to a heated argument in which neither side backs down. Eventually we tire of arguing and don’t have the energy to continue. While we might still feel angry we are gradually able to see the other’s perspective and begin to back down from some of our goals and positions. Sometimes we simply drop the conflict and move on. Other times we need to come to an agreement or learn to live with our differences. In any case, when we express ourselves in conflict, our relationship will change.
The above description can happen between two people and each stage can be experienced in a matter of minutes. The complex reality about conflict, however, is that it often involves more than two people and spills over into a web of relationships that can take days or longer to work through the conflict. The conflict can go back and forth between the different stages. Even when it feels like it is beginning to de-escalate it can quickly escalate again. It can also return to the latent conflict stage only to emerge and escalate again later.
Next: Conflict Styles
Back
Conflict Escalation: The conflict begins to intensify. The focus is on winning the conflict and developing tactics and strategies to defeat the other side.
Stalemate: The conflict reaches a point where neither side is moving towards accomplishing their goals, but both sides are unwilling to back down.
De-escalation: De-escalation often occurs as both sides realise the cost of the conflict is too high to maintain. Both sides begin to shift their goals.
Dispute Settlement: Grievances and goals from both sides are addressed and settled permanently or for the time being.
Post-Conflict: The focus is on repairing and maintaining right relationships.
Source: Brahm, Eric. "Conflict Stages." Beyond Intractability. Ed. Guy Burgess and Heidi Burgess. 9 September, 2011. Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA.<http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/conflict_stages/?nid=1068>.
For many of us these stages of conflict can easily be seen when looking at a conflict with a spouse, family member or close friend. We live with tension in all our relationships. Much of this tension results from the different perspectives and preferences people hold. The issues are often small or not worth bring up to address openly. Occasionally, though, the tension rises to the point of frustration and needs to be addressed or a pattern of relationship has formed where an unfair balance of power exists. This can lead to a heated argument in which neither side backs down. Eventually we tire of arguing and don’t have the energy to continue. While we might still feel angry we are gradually able to see the other’s perspective and begin to back down from some of our goals and positions. Sometimes we simply drop the conflict and move on. Other times we need to come to an agreement or learn to live with our differences. In any case, when we express ourselves in conflict, our relationship will change.
The above description can happen between two people and each stage can be experienced in a matter of minutes. The complex reality about conflict, however, is that it often involves more than two people and spills over into a web of relationships that can take days or longer to work through the conflict. The conflict can go back and forth between the different stages. Even when it feels like it is beginning to de-escalate it can quickly escalate again. It can also return to the latent conflict stage only to emerge and escalate again later.
Next: Conflict Styles
Back
No comments:
Post a Comment