Conflict Theory Video Presentation

Conflict

Direct confrontation between individuals or groups over scarce resources.

Aggression

a behavioral use of power to get others to behave to one's own advantage, even at the expense of others.

Power

ability to control the direction or course of action of others.

Assertion

acting in a way that affirms one's rights and positions but does not necessarily do so at the expense of others.

Critiques of theory

One of the criticisms of conflict theory is that it analyzes families in destructive, negative terms. Family theorists prefer to focus on constructive and positive terms. It does not fit their ideal of what relationships ought to be. After it explains the competition of power and access to resources, it does not describe how families can improve. Conflict theory describes families that are not in safe and happy places. Many scholars are uncomfortable with that.

Promises

Promises are messages, not behaviors, that communicate the delivery of something positive or rewarding if demands are met at some point in the future.

Consensus

Stable state in which society, groups, or family exist, sharing common awareness or knowledge of given issues, values, and norms. Is reached when all parties "see things the same way"

Competition

State of negative interdependence between the elements of a social system. When one member of family gains, others lose.

Negotiation and Bargaining

exchange process designed to reach a collective agreement on a disputed issue. Although it may be heated both parties are trying to share the resources.

*Conflict Theory* What does the conflict theory explain in marriage and family studies?

how and why stability and instability occur, and under what conditions harmonious interpersonal bonds are possible.

*Conflict Theory* What will understanding the management of conflict do?

lead to an understanding of stability and instability in marriage and family.

*Conflict Theory* Assumption #4 Conflict is a confrontation over control of scarce resources.

-Conflict can be internal or external. -Internal conflict originates from inside the social system (be it between individuals, families or societies) -Suppressed conflict will build up (gunny-sacking) -Conflict can be magnified by the expression of conflict. -Conflict management is an outcome of this theory. -External conflict originates outside the social system. -You can't fight internal conflict when you are fighting external conflict. -In the context of negotiating, discussing and arguing people come to understand each other. -Conflict can produce new or different values or revitalize existing norms.

*Conflict Theory* Assumption #6 Conflict has positive outcomes

-Conflict theorists believe that, ultimately, the result of conflict is beneficial. -Conflict is at the root of progress and change. -Conflict brings about assimilation and compromise. -Conflict brings about solidity and unity within groups. -Challenges the values and power we ascribe to those in other groups. -The process of learning to negotiate, communicate, and manage conflict are positive aspects. -It is more important how the conflict is handled than what the conflict is. -Facing conflict can bring relationships to a new level of intimacy, relieve tension and resentment, help identify problems, increase understanding, and bring about a renewed appreciation for the relationship.

*Conflict Theory* Microsocial Perspective

-Conflict theorists look within the family system at the elements that can bring about conflict. -Two major structural differences are gender and age which can bring about conflict.

*Conflict Theory* Assumption #3 Group Dynamics are different in families than in other groups.

-Membership in a family is involuntary. Membership in a group is voluntary. -An ill member will leave a scarcity of funds in a family where as it won't in a group. -If conflict becomes too much in a group the person can leave. In a family, they can't easily do that. -Relationships in families are more intense because they are closer in proximity and have longer histories. -Dissolving a family is more threatening that dissolving a group -The ability to dissolve a family is a great power. So families generally tolerate a higher degree of conflict than groups. -Power remains somewhat static over the life of a group, but can change during the life of a family. Children gain power as they grow. Adults lose power as they get old. Keeps family power fluid.

*Conflict Theory* Assumption #1 Nature of Humans is that they are self oriented.

-People are focused on their own interests -People are symbol producing: they assign value to things which sets up a system of scarce resources. -Family members use strategies to achieve personal goals and sometimes even resort to aggression. -Individuals have unlimited potential to hope to mean they have unlimited potential to desire power, prestige, and privelege.

*Conflict Theory* Assumption #2 Societies operate under a perpetual scarcity of resources.

-Societies operate on survival. Scarcity of resources leads to confrontations. -These confrontations lead to upheaval, social change, and growth. -inequality is an unavoidable part of most relationships. -Conflict theorists try to manage the inequality rather than resolve it.

*Conflict Theory* Assumption #5 Conflict can be classified

-You can classify conflict two ways: from a macrosocial perspective and from a microsocial perspective -Conflict theory is one of the few theories that can be used in both a sociological and developmental way. -Conflict theorists believe we ascribe meaning and value and stratify people into unequal roles, with varying levels of power and access to resources. -Analyze how families are classified based on their access to scarce resources and determine who has the power to maintain those value structures.

*Conflict Theory* What are the Basic Assumptions?

1. Nature of humans is that they are self-oriented 2. Societies operate under a perpetual scarcity of resources 3. Group dynamics are different in families than in other groups 4. Conflict is a confrontation over control of scarce resources 5. conflict can be classified 6. Conflict has positive aspects

Conflict Management

Conflict management involves dealing with the conflict while acknowledging the continued existence of the underlying competitive structure.

Threats

Messages, not behaviors, that communicate the delivery of punishment if demands are not met at some point in the future

Conflict Resolution

Refers to both the end state of conflict and the process of a give conflicts ending. In conflict resolution the parties no longer see the issue as a competition for scarce resources, there is no more conflict and resolution is the outcome.

*Conflict Theory* Karl Marx

The Father of Conflict Theory.

*Conflict Theory* Macrosocial Perspective

Theorists look at issues of conflict between classes of people who have privilege or dominance and those who are disadvantaged - the "haves" vs. the "have nots". Example: Privileges of black children vs. white children. How those privileges impact families and their opportunities and choices. How they face discrimination, negotiate their inequality, and how society creates a shared value about what people deserve. Study how society ascribes family and how this leads to inequality in the family. They focus on broad social issues.

*Conflict Theory* Where does the conflict theory come from?

rooted in sociology. Used to explain the differences between classes within society and the competition for scarce resources, including economic wealth, political power, and social status.