Conflict Theory flashcards

Terms: conflict

direct confrontation between individuals or groups over scarce resources; occurs when people use controversial means to obtain their goals, or have incompatible goals, or some combo of both

Terms: conflict theory

examines conflict that exists within families and other social relationships

terms: competition

one wins and other loses; members realize they can take turns winning and losing and make decisions where members jointly win or lose, depending on their willingness to negotiate, cooperate, and seek compromise

terms: conflict management

strategies to keep conflict form escalating; dealing with conflict while acknowledging the continued existence of the underlying competitive structure

terms: compromise

an accepted idea is eventually challenged by its opposite until a middle ground is reached

terms: negotiation and bargaining

exchange process

terms: conflict resoution

reach a stable resolution; parties no longer see the issue as competition for scarce resources

terms: consensus

all agree “see things the same way”; stable state in which society, groups, or families exist, sharing common awareness or knowledge of given issues, values, and norms; conflict management seeks the consensus

terms: power

ability to control the course of action of others; can be used positively (authority or privilege) or negatively (unduly control others); can also be a function of personality and temperament, because some people tend to be more persuasive

terms: Assertion

acting in a way that affirms one’s rights and positions but not necessarily at the expense of others

terms: aggression

use of power to get others to behave to one’s advantage even at expense of others

terms: threats

messages that imply punishment if demands are not met

terms: promises

messages that communicate the delivery of something positive/rewarding if demands are met

Assumptions: nature of individuals is that they are self-oriented

or focused on self-interests; individuals are symbol-producing, they are able to ascribe value to things → sets up the competition → resort to interpersonal aggression

Assumptions: societies (families) operate with a scarcity of resources

societies = organized systems for species survival; lead to perpetual scarcity of resources → perpetual confrontations

Assumptions: conflict is a confrontation over control of scarce resources

internal (between individuals, families or societies) or external conflict ( originated from outside system)

Assumptions: group dynamics are different in families than in other groups

family illness will stress its resources while in a group it will not; membership is involuntary in families, they can’t just leave the group

Assumptions: conflict has a positive aspect

people come to new understanding of each other and the compromise might be the best decision; allows growth to occur when they learn new things about each other

Assumptions: conflict can be classified

1. macro social perspective - issues of conflict between groups of people who have privilege and those who are disadvantaged (haves vs. have nots)
2. micro social perspective - elements within family that bring conflict (marital conflict, adolescent individuation)

Underlying sources of conflict in marriage

1. role expectations → household tasks
2. competing needs for connectedness and separateness → time spent with family v. other
3. fairness and equity → “that’s not fair”
4. power → ability to control actions of others; structures in families give authority to parents over children

work-family conflict (dual-career familes)

work-family conflict conception → work and family are incompatible; roles more difficult as a result of participation in both


1. increase in health risks
2. decreased parenting performance
3. decreased work performance
4. decreased life satisfaction

Conflict Items Examples

1. demands of my work interfere with my home and family
2. the amount of time my job takes up makes it difficult to fulfill family responsibilits
3. the demands of my family or partner interfere with work-related activities
4. I have to put off doing things at work because of demands on my time at home
5. things I want to do at work do not get done because of demands of my family or partner
6. my home life interferes with my responsibilities at work such as getting to work on time, accomplishing daily tasks, and working overtime
7. family-related strain interferes with my ability to perform job-related duties

Conflict Resolution: conflict constructive or destrictvie

1. vertical conflict - objectively is considered conflict; conflict b/t parties in hierarchical relationship
2. contingent - generated by reason that can be solved; arises due to a specific reason/issue
3. displaced - reason for conflict is from other situation
4. poorly attributed - comes from other source
5. latent - not addressed; exists beneath the surface
6. false - misinterpretation, misunderstanding

Styles of conflict resolution (Thomas and Kidman) conflict mode instrument (TKI): competing

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goal is to win (uncooperative; assertive)

Styles of conflict resolution (Thomas and Kidman) conflict mode instrument (TKI): collaborating

goal is win-win (cooperative; assertive)

Styles of conflict resolution (Thomas and Kidman) conflict mode instrument (TKI): compromising

goal is middle ground (in between both cooperative-uncooperative and unassertive-assertive)

Styles of conflict resolution (Thomas and Kidman) conflict mode instrument (TKI): avoiding

goal is to delay (uncooperative; unassertive)

Styles of conflict resolution (Thomas and Kidman) conflict mode instrument (TKI): accommodating

goal is to yield (cooperative; unassertive)

Basic steps for conflict resolution

1. clarify issue
2. determine what each person wants
3. identify alternatives
4. decide on negotiation
5. solidify agreements
6. review and renegotiate

Fair fighting rules

1. avoid ultimatums
2. say what you really mean
3. avoid accusations and attack
4. state your requests clearly
5. repeat the message you think you received
6. resist giving the silent treatment
7. focus on the issue and on the present
8. call time-out and foul
9. always go for closure

Applying conflict theory to research: parents’ and children’s power effectiveness during polyandry family conflict: process and outcome

1. how does this research reflect the application of conflict theory?
* by studying conflict in families and examining power dynamics between parents and children during conflict
2. discuss the assumption: conflict can be classified
* the research focuses on the classification of conflict by studying the types of conflict that arise in polyandry families and how power is used during these conflicts
3. discuss the assumption: group dynamics are different in families than other groups
* the research supports this assumption as it specifically examines conflict in families and the unique power dynamics that exist within them