10. Recognising Conflict

Conflict Theory

Five stages of conflict:

1.     Latent Stage: Participants not yet aware of conflict.

2.     Perceived Stage: Participants aware a conflict exists.

3.     Felt Stage: Stress and anxiety.

4.     Manifest: Conflict is open and can be observed.

5.     Aftermath: Outcome of conflict, resolution or dissolution.

Most of the time, recognizing and addressing issues that cause conflict will lead to a fast and effective resolution.  The problem lies in the fact that solutions are not always so easy.  When both parties feel they have been wronged and expect their demands to be met, then conflict can escalate.  Many places are melting pots of conflict.  The most prominent area of life that sees the five stages of conflict is the workplace.  In most cases neither party wants to be there in the first place and this time of heightened stress lends itself to conflict.  To understand more about workplace conflict and resolutions you can take classes in workplace conflict resolution. 

It is important to understand conflict at a psychological level if one hopes to be able to resolve it quickly and effectively.  In most cases one party, usually the less fortunate, or aggrieved, party is aware of conflict early in the latency stage.  The more privileged party is often unaware that conflict exists because there are no adverse effects of conflict-starting events. The existent added stress makes the latent stage dangerous because at times the other stages can reveal themselves all at once in a flurry of emotion and passion.  This is why it is important to recognize the signs of conflict as early as possible so that they may be addressed.  

People must be Democratic and address their differences of opinion openly and without fear of misunderstandings.  If problems are not addressed then conflict can move from latent to “manifest”, “erupted”, or “emerging” stages of conflict.

Emergence occurs when latent conflict builds and builds until a triggering event occurs.  This triggering event, depending on how severe, causes an eruption which may end quickly or can last for a long time.  Now that conflict has emerged, either the conflict is resolved or it escalates until a stalemate is reached or someone concedes.

Escalation of conflict generally lasts a long time, but can also end quickly.  Once conflicts escalate for a while, participants often reach a stalemate: a situation in which neither side can win, but neither side wants to back down or accept loss either. Stalemates emerge for a number of reasons: failed tactics, depletion of available resources to fuel the conflict, or a reduction in support of the conflict by one or more of those involved.  In other cases, the conflict has been latent for so long that the triggering event usually leads to a violent resolution.[1]