Conflict- Psychology

Useful for UG and PG nursing students, prepared as per the curriculum

1. C onflicts Mr.Visanth V S Principal Sherwood College of Nursing Barabanki, UP

2. I ntroduction The term conflict is used in so many ways in our day to day life. There may be conflicts between the ideas, cultures, religions and organizations. 2

3. D efinition Conflict means a painful emotional state which results from tension between opposed and contradictory wishes. - Douglas & Holland Psychological conflict is a state of tension brought by the presence in the individual of two or more opposing desires. - Barney & Lehner 3

4. Characteristics of C onflict At least two parties/two goals/two ideas are involved. Mutually exclusive goals and mutually exclusive values exist. The parties/ideas/goals face each other with mutually opposing actions and counteractions. 4

5. Types of Conflicts Conflicts are classified in different ways; they are described as follows; The conflict between person and person The conflict between a person and his environment The conflict within a person 5

6. The Conflict between Person and Person This type of conflict is quite common say like conflicts between parents and children, between employer and employee, between colleagues. 6

7. The Conflict between a Person and His Environment By environment we means our surroundings; if any changes of our environment like floods, droughts, earthquake, fires, contagious diseases, war etc. affect the person . 7

8. The Conflict within a Person The conflict within a person of motives, desires and impulses is called the internal conflicts. Some of the internal conflicts are as follows; Approach-Approach Conflict (Double Approach Conflict) Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict (Double Avoidance Conflict) Approach-Avoidance Conflict Multiple Approach- Avoidance Conflicts 8

9. Approach-Approach Conflict This is the simplest type of conflict and occurs between two positive goals and both the goals are equally attractive. The conflicts of this type are of little danger and temporary . For example a young man may experience conflict in choosing between two equally qualified beautiful and respectable girls for marriage. 9

10. An Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict An avoidance-avoidance conflict is a situation, wherein an individual is motivated to avoid both the goals. Here the individual is caught between the devil and deep blue sea. Here both the goals are equally unattractive and the individual escape from both the goals. For example one may dislike studies and failures and has to choose between two. Another example is unhappy employment and loss of income. 10

11. An Approach - Avoidance Conflict In this type of conflict a person is both attracted and repelled by the same goal object. For example ice cream is so delicious but it also causes obesity. A man wants to marry a girl for her beauty but her educational level is too level. 11

12. Multiple Approach- Avoidance Conflicts Our life involves many positive and negative goals. We have to select in between. For example a student experiences conflict between making good grades and making it to the college football team. In this the boy experiences considerable pressure from his family and friends to achieve both the goals. He may incur the disapproval of his parents if he fails to make good grades in studies. He will lose friends if he does not make it to the football team. 12

13. How to Resolve Conflicts/ Methods of Resolving Conflicts Task oriented reactions T his involves an objective appraisal of the situation and consciously making a decision to solve it. It involves making changes in self and surroundings. The action may involve accepting and analyzing the problem, attacking the problem directly, withdrawing from the problem or trying to find a workable compromise . 13

14. How to Resolve Conflicts/ Methods of Resolving Conflicts Defense oriented reactions Defence mechanism is a technique adopted by individuals to cope with tension, stress and anxiety that are mainly aroused by conflicts. When an individual meets with such a problem, instead of developing an insight to solve it, he may find an easy way to escape from the problem and give a totally different explanation for it. This is a mechanism of our mind aims in protecting the individual from hurt and disorganization. 14

15. Thank You 15