We all live in society and communicate with a large number of people. This communication is not always pleasant. Quite often people are in conflict, trying to defend their opinion or get what they want. Perhaps this is surprising for someone, but the conflict can be represented as a clear structured system. Psychology pays great attention to its study. This science is called conflictology and is taught in higher educational institutions, as well as at special seminars.
Conflictology: definition and meaning
Psychologists and psychotherapists consider conflictology one of the most important scientific disciplines. She studies the problem situation from all sides - it helps to identify the object and subject of the conflict, teaches how to regulate it and finish it. In the modern world, such knowledge can be very useful not only for specialists, but also for ordinary people.
HowPractice has shown that people who know the basics of conflict resolution get more pleasure from communication and move up the career ladder faster. We think this is a weighty enough argument to spend your time studying the essence of conflicts in society.
Conflict is the subject of conflictology
Most often, a conflict is understood as a process, the termination of which is the end of the dispute itself. But besides this, it has its own structure, it does not depend on the circumstances and the size of the conflict situation. Moreover, it is interesting that without the components of the structure, the situation itself cannot exist. It is a quantity that is both part of the conflict and its "fuel", without which the situation goes out and loses its meaning.
Sometimes instead of the word "conflict" the phrase "conflict situation" is used. These values are quite close, but not identical. Yes, they have exactly the same structure. But the conflict situation is just a part of the conflict - a cast that reflects the entire built-up structure of the conflict as a whole.
Structure: object, subject and participants in the conflict
Since we have already found out that the conflict has its own clear structure, we can conclude that it lends itself to analysis. It is analysis that helps to end the conflict by identifying all the structural components and determining the needs of all participants in the situation. At the same time, it is very important to find out the connections between them and the conditions in whichwhich the conflict directly proceeds.
The structure of the conflict situation itself looks quite simple:
- object and subject of conflict;
- its members;
- environment in which the situation develops.
In fact, the apparent simplicity of the structure of the conflict hides many pitfalls. Therefore, we propose to analyze all the points in more detail and in detail.
Object of conflict
Studying the structural vertical is impossible without a detailed analysis of all its parts. Determining the subject of the conflict can be quite difficult even for experienced professionals. Moreover, conflictology does not always separate objects and objects of a conflict situation, but it is simply necessary to do this. Otherwise, it will be almost impossible to resolve situations and find out the needs of all participants. After all, the subject, the participants in the conflict and the object are in constant interaction and are firmly connected with each other.
Under the subject of the conflict, it is customary to understand the disagreements and contradictions between the participants in the dispute, presented in the form of an explicit or fictitious problem. Moreover, for all parties to the conflict, its subject matter can be completely different, which does not prevent the parties from fighting to achieve their goals. The subject of the conflict may be various material values, religious beliefs, social status and other points. It should be borne in mind that without the subject, any disagreement is simply impossible, it is the most important part of the conflict structure. We can say that this is the very contradiction that served as the trigger for the situation. The elimination of these contradictions leads to the reduction of disagreements to the zero level of aggression.
Most often, the subject of the conflict is hidden in the depths of the structure, it is difficult to determine it immediately. In many situations, the duration of the dispute is determined by the fact that its subject remains veiled. It is worth considering that the subject is a moving quantity. In long-term conflict situations, contradictions tend to develop along a certain amplitude. Until its completion, the dispute goes through several stages of attenuation and flare-up, which indicates some instability of contradictions.
Example of subject of conflict
For those who find it difficult to understand what the subject of the conflict is, an example will help to correctly analyze the conflict situation. Imagine that two young men are competing for the attention of a girl. One wants to be with her, but the other is simply not ready to give her to an opponent. The desires of both guys are the subject of conflict. Although they are related to the same object, the difference between them is obvious.
Another example is the hypothetical situation with the introduction in a large firm of a schedule with an extended working day. This topic is discussed at the meeting, and communication gradually turns into a furious argument. In this case, the subject of the conflict is the motivation of opponents and advocates of innovation. Moreover, it can be completely different for each participant in the conflict.
What is the object of conflict?
The object of the conflict situationyou can name what caused it. In some cases, it is understandable and does not require time to identify it, while in others it is more difficult to distinguish it than the subject and subject of the conflict.
The cause of the conflict (or object) can be a spiritual, material or social value. In any case, a quarrel arises because of the desire to own this object alone - it stands at the intersection of the interests of all participants in the process. Surprisingly, there are quite a few options for constructing a controversial situation. Most of all, they are formed when one side is ready to divide the object in order to end the situation, but the other opposes and insists on the indivisibility of the object. Solving such a problem is quite difficult.
Types of conflict objects
Coming to the analysis of the conflict, one should not forget that objects can differ from each other not only in structure, but also in type or appearance. The most common definitions of the type of ownership of the object of the conflict situation are:
- illusory;
- true;
- false;
- relevant;
- latent etc.
Don't dwell on each species individually. It is enough to know that the definition of the type of object in some situations becomes the dominant value in introducing the dispute into the final stage.
Examples of highlighting objects and objects of conflict
Remember that it is impossible to overcome the situation without highlighting the subject and object of the conflict. The example of a conflict situation given in our article will help you learn how to classify and highlight the structural components of a problem. Imagine that two kids in the sandbox are fighting over a toy left by a third. One wants to play with her in the sandbox, and the other wants to take her home. Here, the toy appears as an indivisible object of the conflict, despite the fact that it does not belong to any of the participants in the situation. But the intentions of children are the subject of conflict.
Quite often these two concepts are confused with each other, which hinders the solution of the problem. Having singled out a false object, one can lose the opportunity to overcome the conflict and embark on the path of mutual understanding for many years.
Difference between subject and object
To have the skill of resolving conflict situations, it is necessary to clearly understand that the subject of the conflict and its object have a number of differences. Briefly, they can be represented as follows:
- Resolution of the problem is possible only by eliminating its subject. The object of the conflict does not affect the termination of the situation. It is quite probable that the elimination can take place simultaneously, but the dispute that no longer has an object will be considered settled. For example, quarrels about a prize may not subside in a team even after it has been distributed. In this particular situation, the award is an object, but the desire to receive it is an object in a conflict situation.
- The subject of the conflict can only be something real, because contradictions and struggle are expressed in certain actions. Whereas an object can take many forms and is often illusory.
- The object of the conflict may be hidden for a long time, but the object is alwaysvery specific and specific. As an example, the situation with children's grievances that relate to the object of the conflict is well suited. They are often incomprehensible to parents and seem insignificant. But the expression of this resentment by a child is the subject of a controversial situation, and parents always notice and understand these manifestations.
I would like to say that the first time it is quite difficult to penetrate into the differences between the object and the subject of the conflict. Therefore, if you cannot do this, do not be discouraged - over time, the structure of problem situations will become much clearer.
Participants in the conflict
Any dispute is impossible without participants. Moreover, there can be several parties, the minimum number of participants is two. They are also called the core of the conflict, in such a structure the loss of one of the participants automatically ends the situation.
Participants in disagreements can be individuals, groups and associations, state structures and entire governments of countries. The structure of the conflict does not change depending on the status of its participants. Conflictology conditionally divides them into several large groups:
The main participants in the conflict, or actors
The subjects of the conflict are opposing sides and take active actions against each other. If there are two participants, the appearance of the third and subsequent ones, as well as their disappearance, does not affect the outcome of the conflict.
In order to quickly solve the problem, it is necessary to identify the initiators of the situation. Moreover, the initiator can have a positive and negative color, this does not affect the process in any way, butvividly characterizes the sides.
2. Support groups
Behind every subject is a specific support group. It may consist of individuals and organizations or be represented by a certain social stratum. The support group can be directly involved in the conflict situation and influence it. Groups can also have the status of silent support or intermediary.
3. Other members
The list of these persons is very extensive. Each participant contributes to the development of the conflict. For example, there are organizers of a conflict situation who plan its beginning and development. They intervene from time to time and do not change the balance of forces of opponents.
Practically all participants from this group do not have a serious influence on the conflict situation. It should be noted that the scenario of the conflict largely depends on the rank of its main participants. They are currently represented by three groups.
Ranks of the subjects of the conflict
Classification of ranks was introduced according to the power characteristics of the subject. The weakest is the first rank, and the strongest is the third. It is the power characteristic that determines the boundaries of the conflict and its scenario. So:
First rank
These entities are represented by individuals. Their confrontation is most often interpersonal in nature. Arguments based on personal motivation are used as strength. Such conflicts are brief but pronounced.
2. Second rank
In this case, the parties to the conflict are social groups or associations. Sometimes interestsThe group is represented by an individual, but it is motivated by the interests of the whole community. In such situations, the confrontation can last for a long time, and the arguments in disputes are the power resources of a large group of people who support one idea or pursue a common goal.
3. Third rank
NGOs become the subjects of the conflict situation. Moreover, the motivator of actions and the argument is supra-group interest. The forces and resources of such participants in the conflict are constantly replenished, we can say that they are limitless.
I would like to clarify that ranks are not static. At different stages of a problem situation, subjects can have completely different ranks.
Meaning of conflict
Don't take conflict as a negative. It brings a lot of advantages. Psychologists consider conflict situations as an impetus for the development of society. For example, any problem that develops into a dispute leads to the removal of tension in society. In addition, it allows you to scan any situation and determine the balance of power in one particular social group or in different communities.
Not everyone can understand the structure of the conflict. But those who are lucky enough to master this useful knowledge feel much more confident and happier in life. After all, there are no unsolvable situations for them.
