Conflict Resolution-Unit One

Select the term for a conflict resulting from the parties' different interpretations of information.

Data-based conflict

Retired seniors Tony and Ella were neighbors of Diana and Rick, who had three young children, in a large city. The families often exchanged friendly conversation when they saw each other around the neighborhood. Both Tony and Diana were members of their neighborhood improvement group. At a meeting one night, the group's president, Marcus, told everyone that the city had proposed tearing down the playground to create a parking lot but was seeking the input of the residents before making a final decision. Diana and her kids used the playground daily, and Diana wanted the playground to stay. Tony and Ella drove frequently and would greatly appreciate easier parking. Diana argued against the parking lot, and Tony responded with an explanation of why he felt a parking lot was essential. Select excerpt that describes the parties' interests at the root of the potential conflict.

Diana and her kids used the playground daily, and Diana wanted the playground to stay. Tony and Ella drove frequently and would greatly appreciate easier parking.

The neighborhood improvement group meeting became so heated that group president Marcus finally tabled the discussion of the playground/parking lot and called for a special meeting the next day on the subject. At that meeting, Stella, a city representative, spoke to neighborhood residents. After providing detailed information about the cost of upkeep on the playground versus the parking lot, neighborhood crime statistics, and other factors that could influence the neighborhood's decision, Stella paused for a moment. "I want to make it clear," she said, "that the city is not insisting on moving forward with the parking lot plan. We're only offering to do so if your neighborhood wants it. Ultimately, it's your decision to make." It wasn't long after Stella's presentation that Tony and Diana continued their argument, each using the new information to fuel his or her own stance. Pointing to the crime statistics, Tony accused Diana of not caring about senior citizens' concerns. "You don't care about the neighborhood's children, now that yours have all grown up!" Diana retorted. The only thing they agreed on was that, with only one space available, the decision must be either a playground or a parking lot. Sometimes conflict can arise due to parties' differing values. Select the statement that, if true, would make Tony and Diana's conflict values-based.

Diana believes that it is right that children should come first in everything, whereas Tony believes that it is right to stick up for his community of the elderly.

When Tony and Diana ran into each other at the corner store the next day, their normally friendly manner was gone, replaced by distant hellos before they each went about their business. When she got home, Diana remarked to her husband that her relationship with Tony had changed overnight and that she missed her previous relaxed relationship with him. "We have always gotten along so well," Diana said. "I always enjoyed my conversations with Tony, and we often helped each other out with little things, like when I helped him clean his gutters before that big rainstorm or when he taught me that trick to fix the Christmas lights. I thought we were good friends." Before the events of the neighborhood improvement group meeting, Tony and Diana were at the pre-conflict stage of conflict. Which of the following statements about the pre-conflict stage is true?

During the pre-conflict stage, parties are not yet aware that their needs conflict.

Move

In game theory, an action taken with the intent of moving closer to a goal.

As the conflict over the playground/parking lot continued, tensions in the neighborhood became stronger. Neighbors argued loudly in the street with each other, people accused those on the "other side" of harassment or insensitivity, and some of the older residents accused neighborhood children of vandalism. Marcus, the neighborhood improvement group president, continued talking with Michelle, a case worker at the local dispute resolution center, to see if anything could be done. He told her about the current neighborhood situation. Michelle said, "Well, it certainly seems that the situation has gotten very intense. Usually it's better to deal with a conflict earlier, but sometimes things have to get worse before people will try to make them better." Marcus said, "I thought this situation just came out of nowhere! How could it have been dealt with earlier?" Michelle described the stages of conflict, using the information Marcus gave her. Based on Marcus' description, the neighborhood conflict has reached the crisis stage. Select the true statement about the crisis stage.

In the crisis stage, parties are unable to communicate effectively on their own.

Aaron and Doyle are roommates. Lately, Doyle had sensed that Aaron was upset about something, but Doyle wasn't sure what. Then, one afternoon, Aaron angrily confronted Doyle about the rent always being late. Once Aaron confronted Doyle, the two of them reached which stage of conflict?

Incident

During the neighborhood improvement group meeting, group president Marcus opened the floor for continued discussion of the city's proposal to tear down the neighborhood playground and build a parking lot in its place. Both Tony and Diana spoke strongly, each getting about half the group members to support their position. As people took sides, the meeting grew loud and heated. Tony shouted, "We can't make more land— it has to be one or the other!" Marcus leaned over and whispered to the group secretary, Carlo, "I've never seen these people so angry! I almost wish we had a bigger problem, like crime or a fire, to bring them all back together." Marcus's comment supports an approach that is recommended in realistic conflict theory. Which statement provides the best definition of conflict from the perspective of realistic conflict theory?

Individuals fight for a limited set of resources with a zero-sum mentality.

Parties

Individuals, groups, and entities involved directly in a conflict.

Select the true statement about the discomfort stage.

It is the easiest stage in which to resolve a conflict.

Marcus, the president of a neighborhood improvement group, spoke with Michelle, a case worker at a community dispute resolution center, about a neighborhood conflict. The neighborhood couldn't agree whether or not to replace a local playground with a parking lot. While there were many parking problems in the area, many young children lived in the neighborhood. The neighborhood improvement group split into two sides over the issue, and people became angry with each other.Michelle suggested that mediation may be effective in this situation and explained the process to Marcus. She said, "When we mediate, the parties to the conflict have full control over the decision making. The mediator won't suggest solutions, make a decision for them, or give an opinion, even if they ask for one. But the aim is to help the parties create their OWN agreement." Marcus asked, "Does the mediator eventually make a decision for the parties if they cannot reach one themselves?" "No," Michelle replied. "There is a form of mediation where that is done, but that's probably not the best approach here." Which form of mediation allows the mediator to make a final decision for the parties if needed?

Mediation-arbitration

Loss

Movement away from a desired goal in a game.

Gain

Movement closer to a desired goal in a game.

Escalation

Movement of a conflict from a less intense or harmful stage to a more intense or harmful one.

De-escalation

Movement of a conflict from a more harmful or intense stage to a less intense or harmful one.

Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Styles Assessment

One of the most commonly used assessment tools to determine a person's preferred conflict style.

After the neighborhood improvement group meeting, Diana and Tony talked to their families about the city's proposal to demolish the playground and build a parking lot. Diana and her husband, Rick, agreed that the neighborhood should keep the playground, while Tony and his wife, Ella, agreed that parking was an urgent problem. Given the opposing perspectives in the community, the conflict may develop and become increasingly intense. Select the statement that describes crisis, the most intense stage of conflict.

Parties cannot communicate and may intentionally harm each other.

As Tony and Diana's mediation session went on, Tony said that he was surprised to become comfortable talking with Diana again so quickly. Diana said that she felt the same way. "What do you think made it easier to talk comfortably again?" asked Ava, the mediator. Diana thought for a moment and then said, "I think it was the point when we both realized that, as much as I want to keep the playground and Tony wants more parking, the other person's goal was important too. And our relationships with the neighbors matter. All of us want kids to have a place to play AND want seniors to be able to park close to home." Ava nodded and said, "So the way you're approaching the situation has changed?" Diana and Tony agreed. The way a party approaches a conflict is called a conflict style. Select the statement that accurately describes the collaborating conflict style.

Parties that use this style have a high interest in meeting their own needs, as well as a high interest in meeting the other party's needs.

Tony and Diana agreed to work with their neighborhood improvement group and develop a "parking exchange," to be sure that older people in their neighborhood could park as close as possible to their homes. They also agreed to meet with the mediator, Ava, again after a month of operating the exchange to resolve any problems that might arise from this plan.Ava said, "I'm glad you thought of a follow-up meeting. Sometimes we think that a resolution has ended a conflict, but there are still details to work out that can cause new problems or that keep a solution from working perfectly." Tony and Diana's follow-up meeting is intended to prevent which of the following?

Re-escalation of the conflict

Who is NOT a participant in a collaborative law process?

Regulatory officials

As the mediation session between Tony and Diana continued, Diana asked Tony, "Do you really think that the older people in the neighborhood need to park right where the playground is?" Tony replied, "No. It doesn't have to be right there at all, but we DO need more parking spaces in the neighborhood, closer to our houses." Ava, the mediator, said, "So if there was a way to find the seniors more parking closer to their homes without pulling down the playground, both sides would be satisfied, right?" Tony and Diana agreed. By addressing what Tony and Diana both said they need, the mediator is using which approach to resolve their conflict?

Relationship-based theory

Positive/Negative Outcomes

Resolutions to a conflict that a party perceives as meeting his/her needs and/or reducing likelihood of further conflict (positive) or not meeting his/her needs and/or increasing likelihood of further conflict(negative).

Power

The ability to influence or control people or events, with or without resistance, through various means.

Arbiter

The conflict resolver involved in an arbitration.

Preferred Conflict Style

The conflict style an individual most often or habitually uses.

Award

The decision of an arbiter or arbitration tribunal in an arbitration

Suitability of Process

The degree to which a conflict resolution process is appropriate to a given conflict, determined by practicality, intent, and needs of parties.

In-Group

The group in which a given person defines herself or himself as a member.

Out-Group

The group in which a given person does not define himself or herself as a member.

Realizing there would be no consensus with the neighborhood improvement group divided almost in half over whether to keep the local playground or replace it with a parking lot, group president Marcus looked for a way to resolve the conflict between Tony, Diana, and their respective supporters. Marcus contacted a local community dispute resolution center and spoke with a case worker named Michelle. Marcus asked Michelle if the center could arbitrate the neighborhood dispute. Michelle replied, "I think arbitration might be less effective than mediation, from what you described. I'll have to gather more information from the parties involved - particularly Tony and Diana, since they seem to be leading the opposing sides - before I make a recommendation." Michelle felt that arbitration might not be the most appropriate process. Select the statement that accurately describes a major difference between arbitration and mediation.

The outcomes of arbitration are legally binding, while the outcomes of mediation are not.

As Ava, the mediator, planned for the mediation session, she considered who should be present. She knew that Tony and Diana should, since the two sides of the dispute saw them as their representatives, but Ava was uncertain whether to involve the city's representative. Ava asked Marcus, the president of the neighborhood improvement group, "Does the city have information on the area of land under discussion? For example, are there any zoning limits or statistics on crime rates that could influence the decision?" "That's a good question," said Marcus. "As far as I know, individuals have asked for information from the city, but I don't know who has gotten what information and how that is influencing their stance." Ava decided that the representative from the city should be present for at least the beginning of the mediation so all parties could go over the same information dictating what is and isn't possible with the land area, and make sure that they all have the same interpretation of that information. Which of the following answers best describes why Ava thinks the city representative needs to be present?

The parties have a data-based conflict because they do not all have the same information or the same interpretation of the data provided.

Post-Conflict

The relationship between parties after a conflict has been resolved.

Crisis Stage of Conflict

The stage of conflict in which parties cannot communicate effectively and act intentionally to harm each other, and view each other strongly negatively.

Tension Stage of Conflict

The stage of conflict in which parties find communication with each other difficult or impossible, consistently attribute negative motives and traits to each other, and may attempt to enlist allies.

Pre-Conflict Stage of Conflict

The stage of conflict in which parties' needs are not being met but are unaware of the relationship between them.

Which of the following determines a person's conflict style?

Their levels of commitment to meeting their own and others' needs

Which of the following statements demonstrates how Tony and Diana are using a competing style of dealing with their conflict?Two weeks after they were told about the city's proposal to demolish the neighborhood playground and build a parking lot, Diana approached Tony as they were heading to another neighborhood improvement group meeting. "Tony," she said, "I know this parking lot plan has come between us. But don't you see that the neighborhood kids NEED a safe, local place to play? We've made do with bad parking for years, and I know it's a pain. But do you really think having your car closer to your house is more important than safe, happy kids?" Tony was immediately defensive. "I can't believe you said that! Of course I care about the kids! But I also care about old people like me getting mugged walking from the car to the house! Three people got robbed in the neighborhood in the last four months, all of them over 60! Don't YOU care about US?" Which of the following statements demonstrates how Tony and Diana are using a competing style of dealing with their conflict?

They each tried to convince the other that their view is right.

Tony and Diana agreed that they felt better about their relationship. They felt the two sides in the neighborhood dispute would also feel better about each other if a creative win-win solution could be found.Ava, the mediator, explained, "Now it's your task to think of ways to meet both sides' needs. Why don't you work together to generate as many ideas as possible that might meet one side or the other's needs, pick the best ones, and then find a way to combine them?" Diana said, "It's kind of like putting together a puzzle, isn't it?" Ava nodded. "Or look at it like you're teammates in a game." From the perspective of game theory, select the statement that best describes the task Tony and Diana are now taking on.

Tony and Diana are engaging in a cooperative game because they are working jointly to meet both sets of needs.

After discussing the mediation process with Diana and Tony, the mediator Ava met with each of them individually to get a sense of how they felt about and interpreted the conflict. Ava noticed that, although Tony and Diana had very different opinions about what should be done in this situation, neither one saw the other's position as "evil" or "bad." They both felt badly about the negative feelings in the neighborhood and between themselves. They also felt that if there were enough space in the neighborhood for both a parking lot and a playground, there would be no issue. Select the true statement.

Tony and Diana's conflict can be described as interest-based because both parties have unmet needs.

Before the neighborhood improvement group meeting, Tony talked to his wife, Ella, about his confrontation with Diana. "I can't believe Diana accused me of not caring about the kids in this neighborhood! We raised our kids here— of course I care! But how can she worry about a playground when the elderly are getting mugged? I just don't know what to do next." Which possible next step for Tony demonstrates the use of relationship-based theory?

Tony could consider the basic needs of everyone involved and try to determine how all of those needs can be met in a "win-win" way.

Diana and Tony led the two sides of the playground/parking lot debate. Diana wanted her neighborhood to keep the local playground, while Tony wanted the parking lot built. They were friendly in the past, but have had a number of heated arguments since the conflict began. Now they were not speaking with each other at all. Diana's husband, Rick, and Tony's wife, Ella, ran into each other at the corner store. They each supported their respective spouse's position but could also see the other side of the debate. They were talking in a friendly way when the store clerk said, "Wow, I'm surprised that you two are being nice to each other with the fight between Tony and Diana going on." Which of the following statements about the conflict between Tony and Diana, and Ella and Rick is true?

While Tony and Diana are in the tension stage of conflict, Ella and Rick are in the pre-conflict stage.

As Diana and Tony began their mediation, the mediator, Ava, explained, "The objective of the session is to find a solution to the conflict that will meet the needs of both sides." Diana replied, "I'm not sure that's possible. There's only one piece of land, and it's not going to get any bigger. How can we do anything other than choose to use it one way or another?" "Well," said Ava, "we're going to look at the situation a little differently. Instead of saying, 'How do we use the land?' we're going to say, 'How can we find a way to improve parking and still keep a place for kids to play?' Then we're going to work together to find a practical answer to that question." Ava described a conflict resolution style called __________.

collaborating

Diana and Tony finally found a possible solution to their conflict. "What if," Diana suggested, "the younger neighbors agree to park further away or move their cars if an older neighbor needed a space?" "If that could be done," Tony said, "we wouldn't need the parking lot. But how would we ask to use the space if a car needs to be moved? And what would happen if a car couldn't be moved for some reason?" Diana thought about this and said, "Well, we'd have to get a phone number list of people who'd be willing to move their cars to any of the people who would need the spaces, and we'd have to have a way to let people know when some spaces couldn't be opened. Maybe the neighborhood improvement group would be willing to keep a log or set up a phone tree to help manage parking in the neighborhood. That way, we'd only have to make one call to know what the parking situation is and who needs what." Tony added, "I think that would be better than having people ask each other directly. A lot of the older folks here would be embarrassed to feel like they were asking people permission to park. They still think of themselves as being in charge in this neighborhood. If we make it more like a neighborhood service, they'll feel better using it." Tony's concern about older residents feeling embarrassed shows that he sees __________ as part of the conflict.

identity

Because of the conflict over the playground, Tony organized the senior citizens in the neighborhood to argue for building the parking lot. While he did this, he learned a lot about other concerns older people in the neighborhood have, including crime, snow and ice removal, and property values. One night, he said to his wife, Ella, "You know, this situation is bigger than just parking or kids playing. It's about respect for what older people need, and not just giving in all the time to people who have kids. The other senior citizens in the neighborhood agree, and it's about time we came together and stood up for ourselves!" Based on his statements, Tony sees the senior citizens in the neighborhood as a(n) __________, and everyone else in the neighborhood as a(n) __________.

in-group, out-group

After meeting with Marcus, the neighborhood improvement group president, both Tony and Diana, as representatives of the two sides of the playground/parking lot conflict, agreed to meet with Ava, a mediator from the dispute resolution center. Ava explained the mediation process to them. Tony was not eager to mediate and said, "This situation has really brought the older people in the neighborhood together, and has made us realize that this neighborhood could do better for us. If we don't see it through, people will be really disappointed." Diana replied, "I agree that there are more problems to deal with than just parking, Tony. But if none of us can talk to one another, we can't deal with THIS problem, let alone others. This neighborhood isn't enjoyable to live in right now." Tony thought for a moment and said, "You might be right. If we can find a way to work together and deal with seniors' issues, we should try." Tony's discussion of seniors' unmet needs show that he sees the conflict as __________.

interest-based

As the mediation session between Tony and Diana continued, Diana said, "I think at first the conflict for me was really about the playground itself— whether parking was more important than having a place for kids to play. But now it's more about how everyone in the neighborhood treats each other. Maybe we weren't as good friends as we thought, if one problem like this turned us all against each other." Tony agreed, saying, "When I started talking to them about the parking issue, I realized how much the older people in the neighborhood felt left out and ignored by the younger families. They have all sorts of concerns about living here but never wanted to bring them up, because they were feeling like it wasn't their neighborhood anymore." This portion of the mediation session showed that Tony and Diana believed that while their situation started as a(n) __________ conflict, it is now more of a relationship-based conflict.

interest-based

pre-conflict stage of conflict

is the phase in which a problem between parties begins to manifest itself without the parties' knowledge

In the __________ stage of conflict, parties are beginning to see each other in a negative light even though they are still communicating.

misunderstanding

Tony and Dana had a few remaining questions for Ava, the mediator, before they were willing to begin a mediation session. They both wanted to know if they should gather evidence or data to show the "strength of their positions," or to prove that one decision would be better than another. "No," Ava replied. "The objective of the mediation is not to decide who has the strongest case or who should 'win.' It's to see if there is a way both sides can have their needs met and restore positive feelings in the neighborhood." Tony and Diana's question illustrates a __________ approach to conflict resolution.

power-based

Which of the following statements is most characteristic of the collaborating conflict style?

"Let's figure out a way to make us both happy."

Tony and Diana found it easier and easier to talk with one another in their mediation session, but they struggled to come up with ways of finding additional places for older residents of their neighborhood to park without using the playground space. At one point, Tony said to Ava, the mediator, "Well, you seem pretty smart— you got us to sit down and talk together, and that wasn't easy. What do YOU think we could do?" Select the response that Ava should give if she is leading a facilitative mediation.

"My job is to guide the two of you to a solution that you come up with yourselves."

Which of the following would be a superordinate goal as defined by Realistic Conflict Theory?

A conflict resolution process

Arbitration

A conflict resolution process in which a neutral party decides the outcome of a dispute between two or more parties.

Avoiding

A conflict resolution style in which a party does not make any attempt to address or resolve the conflict.

Accommodating

A conflict resolution style in which one party helps to meet another's needs at the expense of his/her own.

Competing

A conflict resolution style in which one party seeks to meet his/her own needs at the expense of another party's needs (sometimes also referred to as forcing).

Compromising

A conflict resolution style in which parties agree to sacrifice some of their needs in exchange for having others met.

Collaborating

A conflict resolution style in which parties work jointly to try to meet all of each other's needs (sometimes also referred to as problem solving).

Resolution

A deliberate action or group of actions to help parties meet their respective and mutual needs.

Conflict

A form of relationship in which members find their interactions in some way impeding to their goal, needs, or well-being.

Arbitration Tribunal

A group of arbiters working together in an arbitration.

Superordinate Goal

A mutual goal seen by two parties as more important to achieve jointly than meeting either of their individual goals.

Conflict as Good

A perception that conflict is an experience that provides opportunities for growth or positive change.

Conflict as Bad

A perception that conflict is primarily a negative or harmful experience.

Disadvantage

A perception that continuing a conflict impedes a party's goals or needs.

Advantage

A perception that continuing a conflict in and of itself fulfills a party's goals or needs.

Player

A person participating in an interaction or process interpreted as a game.

Identity

A person's sense of self; the way an individual defines himself or herself.

Limited Resource

A physical or other resource existing in limited quantities that must be divided between users.

Transformative Mediation

A style of mediation focused on changing the relationship between disputing parties, whether or not an agreement is reached or written.

Facilitative Mediation

A style of mediation in which the mediator does not offer suggestions or opinions and guides the process towards an agreement between parties.

Mediation-Arbitration

A style of mediation in which the mediator has the authority to switch roles to that of an arbiter and decide an outcome if parties are unable to reach an agreement.

Evaluative Mediation

A style of mediation in which the mediator is allowed to offer suggestions or opinions for consideration or inclusion in an agreement.

Realistic Conflict Theory

A theory of conflict that explains conflict as a result of competing goals and competition for limited resources.

Power-Based Theory

A theory of conflict that sees conflict as a power-based struggle to be won by one side or another through the use of power.

Game Theory

A theory which interprets human interactions as a set of strategies and actions intended to move individuals closer to attaining goals, in either a collaborative or competitive framework.

Need/Interest

An action, belief, or physical item that a party perceives as important or essential to their satisfaction or happiness.

Rights-Based Theory

An approach to conflict resolution looking at conflict as a perceived or actual incompatibility of parties' rights.

Relationship-Based Theory

An approach to conflict resolution that sees conflict as an opportunity to address fundamental human needs of the parties.

Relationship

An association between two or more people, groups, or entities, involving some form of interaction.

Zero-Sum

An assumption that for one party to gain, the other must lose, yielding a net gain of zero.

Tony and Diana represented two different groups in their neighborhood in a mediation session. The neighborhood was in conflict over whether or not to tear down a local playground to build a parking lot. Tony's group supported building the parking lot; Diana's group wanted to keep the playground. At the beginning of the mediation session, Tony said to Ava, the mediator, "Look, I understand that Diana wants to keep the playground. But there is no way I'm walking out of here with anything less than my parking lot!" "I understand how you feel, Tony," Ava replied. "But the goal of the mediation is to find a solution that meets everyone's needs fully." Select the true statement.

Ava wants the parties to use the collaborating conflict style.

Assertiveness

Behavior in which a person confidently makes a statement without need of proof, affirming his/her rights without attacking another's.

Cooperativeness

Behavior in which two parties work in concert to achieve their mutual and respective individual goals.

Whenever Tony and Diana spoke over the two weeks following the neighborhood improvement meeting, they avoided the playground/parking lot issue. Though they both felt upset and uncomfortable around each other, they tried to pretend that nothing had changed between them. If Tony and Diana are committed to fighting until one of them gets their way, no matter the cost to their relationship, they are using which of the following conflict styles?

Competing

Marcus, the president of the neighborhood improvement group, tried to decide if asking the local community dispute resolution center to help resolve the parking lot/playground conflict would help or hurt the situation. Michelle, the case worker at the center, told him, "In most cases, mediation can help disputing parties find a solution that satisfies everyone. But even when that is not possible, the process can reduce tensions and encourage better communication. Sometimes with better communication, parties can find a way to meet each other half-way if they cannot reach a mediated agreement." Marcus said, "Well, I'd love it if we could satisfy everyone, but even halfway would be good. People aren't going to let this drop, and no one should have to fully give in to the other side. If we don't mediate, we'll just keep fighting. Let's try it." Based on the information from this conversation, which conflict style does Marcus feel would be most beneficial for the neighborhood to use?

Compromising

After meeting with Tony and Diana, the mediator, Ava, was ready to begin a conflict resolution process. However, because the conflict in the neighborhood had escalated quickly, she was concerned about Tony and Diana's willingness and ability to be in the same room together while remaining calm. Ava became more concerned about this when she heard that, after their meeting, Tony's house was vandalized and that Tony suspects some neighborhood kids were responsible. Ava phoned Tony and Diana individually to ask if they still wanted assistance and if they felt they could meet together effectively. "If you want help but don't feel safe being in the same room together, I can meet with each of you separately and carry messages back and forth to try and improve communication between you," she offered. Which of the following resolution processes is Ava suggesting?

Conciliation

Which of the following forms of conflict resolution is usually conducted via separate meetings with each party?

Conciliation

Relationship-Based Conflict

Conflict based in the relational patterns between parties.

Structural Conflict

Conflict based on external forces that impede parties' goals or exercise of their rights.

Data-Based Conflict

Conflict based on inadequate access to, distribution of, or interpretations of information by parties.

Values-Based Conflict

Conflict based on parties' differing or incompatible perceptions of what is morally right or wrong.

Interest-Based Conflict

Conflict based on unmet needs.

Close to tears after her confrontation with Tony, Diana spoke with her husband, Rick, before the neighborhood improvement group meeting. "I always thought Tony was such a nice man, but now I see how selfish he really is. I wish this issue hadn't come up... I HATE being disappointed in people!" Concerned by his wife's assessment of their neighbor, Rick said, "Wait a second, honey. You know I agree with you that the kids need a safe place to play, but Tony has a point about people his age being safe, too. Remember how my dad got mugged last year walking from the bus stop to his house? Parking around here is bad enough sometimes that people have to walk farther than he did. Maybe Tony is just showing us that there are more problems here than we thought." Diana looked at him doubtfully. "Well, I want to think the best of Tony," she admitted. "This is the only argument I've ever had with him. But I've never seen any kind of criminal activity in the neighborhood." She shook her head. "And I don't want to pretend to be friends with someone who says I don't care about my neighbors! We HAVE to keep the playground. If we can find other options for better parking, great, but losing the playground is NOT an option." Many people, like Diana, become overwhelmed when they are in conflict and are unsure how to feel about it. Select the true statement about the nature of conflict.

Conflict is fundamentally neutral, although it may be perceived as "good" or "bad."