15 types of conflicts: characteristics and how to resolve them

A conflict is ‘opposition’ or ‘disagreement between people or things’. It implies an incompatibility, dispute or disagreement. Conflicts are present in all areas: work, academic, personal, social… In this article we will talk about 15 types of conflicts, according to their properties, their cause and the people involved.

As we will see, conflicts vary greatly from one another. What characterizes them? How to solve them? Let’s find out!

What is a conflict?

Conflicts appear when incompatible elements are identified within the person themselves, within a group, a society…

It is important to differentiate conflicts from competitions. Competition involves ‘an opposition in terms of the achievement of objectives by the people who participate in a competitive situation’. As a rule, within the framework of competition, the victory of one person or group is incompatible with the victory of another person or group.

So, competition produces conflict, we could say that it is potentially conflictive, but it is not the conflict itself (and not all conflict reflects competition). Conflict has to do with power, with the likelihood that one party will influence another by modifying or controlling its behavior.

6 types of conflicts according to their properties

There are different types of conflicts. Conflicts can be intrapersonal, intragroup, intranational, interindividual, intergroup and international. Furthermore, they can be divided according to their properties into:

True conflict

It is a type of conflict that exists objectively. It is perceived exactly by the parties involved in it; it does not depend on some easily modifiable characteristic of the environment, nor is it easy to resolve without an impartial judge.

How to solve it? The help of someone external to the conflict, an impartial judge, may be useful.

Contingent conflict

They are conflicts that depend on circumstances that are relatively easy to change, although this is not recognized by the parties. Thus, when solving them, it is advisable to change the circumstances that surround them.

Displaced conflict

Another type of conflict is the displaced conflict. In this case, the parties to the conflict mistakenly use the argumentsverbalizing a type of conflict (manifest) that is actually a displacement of the real (underlying) conflict.

When resolving it, it will be essential to find out what the real (underlying) conflict is and address the root problem.

Misattributed conflict

It is one that does not really confront the parties; So, in this type of conflict, in reality, There is a third instance that is responsible for this situation occurring.. To resolve it, it is advisable to know this third instance and discover if there really is a conflict.

latent conflict

In contrast to an overt conflict, in this case we are talking about the conflict that should occur openly but, however, does not happen that way. To resolve it it will be important to bring it to light.

False conflict

Another type of conflict is false conflict. They are conflicts that occur without an objective basis, that are generated by misinterpretations, misunderstandings, misunderstandings… It is important to evaluate what exactly is happening and whether or not it is a conflict, in order to “resolve” it.

5 types of conflicts according to their cause

Depending on their cause, we also find different types of conflicts. Among them:

Values ​​conflict

They are those that arise due to different evaluation criteria of ideas, beliefs or behaviors that are perceived as incompatible. Thus, the conflict arises when these values ​​are attempted to be imposed by force on the other hand, for example. They can be resolved through dialogue and negotiation.

Role conflict

Role conflicts arise from the inequality between power and authorityby destructive patterns of behavior… Thus, they are mainly related to power, authority and access to resources.

They can be resolved in different ways: accepting the rules (and what the authority says), not accepting them but changing places, etc.

Information conflict

They arise due to a lack of information, which is necessary to make appropriate decisions, which causes the situation to be interpreted differently. They are resolved by informing themselves.

Conflict of interests

Another type of conflict is the conflict of interest that arises from competition between incompatible needs (or perceived in this way). Let’s think, for example, of a person who owns a company and whose partner works in a company in the same sector. At some point you may have to make a decision that directly or indirectly harms your partner.

In addition, they can be psychological, and carry perceptions of distrust, intolerance, “foul play,” etc. They are resolved by changing personal interests, negotiating, giving in or abandoning the situation.

Relationship and communication conflict

In this case, it arises from strong negative emotions, false perceptions, stereotypes, poor communication… To address them, it is best to speak things clearly and without “seconds” or hints.

4 types of conflicts according to the participants

Finally, according to the participants involved, we find 4 types of conflicts. These are the following:

Intrapersonal conflict

It is the conflict that arises internally, within us. So, Its origin is found in private events (thoughts, emotions…). It is resolved through a good introspective process and awareness, so the person can find out what they want and what they are willing to do to get it.

Interpersonal conflict

They are those that occur in the processes of interaction with others. They usually appear quickly; for example, when the person feels attacked. They are resolved through dialogue and empathy.

Intragroup conflict

They are conflicts that occur between members of the same group (or team). They arise for various reasons: interpersonal differences, not sharing the ideas of the group leader or other members, etc.

How to solve them? Through negotiation and finding common ground with the rest.

Intergroup conflict

This type of conflict occurs between groups; It can lead, in extreme cases, to great violence. Its causes usually lie in ideological issues, prejudices, stereotypes…

When it comes to stirring them, dialogue is essential; If an agreement cannot be reached, it is best to leave and try to connect with groups more similar to ours.

And you, have you experienced any of these conflicts? How did you manage it? The truth is that we will encounter conflicts daily, in different areas of life.

Conflicts are a natural processtypical of social psychology, which arise because we are different (luckily!), or for many other reasons, as we have seen.

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