Unit 6: Information, Advice or Guidance Work with Groups
Conflict in Groups
Conflict can be good for a group if it is managed appropriately. By airing differences, group members can produce quality decisions and satisfying interpersonal relationships.
| Identifying Conflict | The first step in managing conflict is to identify the conflict. Do the group members know that a conflict exists? Are the group members arguing over competing goals? Are scarce resources at stake? Are the group members dependent on each other to solve the conflict? |
| Styles of Conflict Management | Researchers Ruble and Thomas have identified five styles for managing conflict. The styles can be charted on two dimensions: assertiveness and cooperativeness. The five styles are: Competitive: high in assertiveness, low in cooperativeness. Competitive people want to win the conflict. Accommodative: low in assertiveness and high in cooperativeness. These group members are easy going and willing to follow the group. Avoiding: low in assertiveness, low in cooperativeness. Avoiding people are detached and indifferent to conflict. Collaborative: high assertiveness, high in cooperativeness. These group members are active and productive problem solvers. Compromising: moderate in assertiveness, moderate in cooperativeness. Compromisers are willing to “give and take” to resolve conflict. |
| Defensive climate | The climate in which conflict is managed is important. Groups should avoid a defensive climate, which is characterized by these qualities: Evaluation: judging and criticizing other group members. Control: imposing the will of one group member on the others. Strategy: using hidden agendas. Neutrality: demonstrating indifference and lack of commitment. Superiority: expressing dominance. Certainty: being rigid in one’s willingness to listen to others. |
| Supportive Climate | Instead, groups should foster a supportive climate, marked by these traits: Description: presenting ideas or opinions. Problem orientation: focusing attention on the task Spontaneity: communicating openly and honestly Empathy: understanding another person’s thoughts Equality: asking for opinions. Provisionalism: expressing a willingness to listen other the ideas of others. |