Case Study of Interpersonal Conflict, Research Paper Example

Interpersonal conflict is any conflict that involves more than two people. The phenomenon is a natural outcome since human interactions will always exhibit arguments based on individual beliefs, values, and desires (Wood 48). In most instances, people engage in conflicts because of differing opinions and goals.

Types of Conflict

Interestingly, conflict can be fact, value, policy, or ego conflict. In fact conflict, people disagree about the truth of something. For instance, two or more people can argue about the ability of snakes to hear. Value conflict is another primary type of conflict. Value conflict occurs when people exhibit different views on a matter. For instance, people may have different opinions about abortion rights, thus conflicting based on their values.

On the other hand, policy conflict occurs when people disagree on the best method to address a problem. Policy conflict is common in most institutions. Personality, upbringing, and education are common factors that impact people’s approach to policy. In many instances, staff in organizations exhibit differing perspectives on how to handle a big project because of their further education and background (Wood 56). Finally, ego conflict occurs when conflicting individuals fail to accept a loss. This type of conflict usually happens when people get personal in their argument.

Comparison of Methods of Managing Conflict

There are different methods of managing conflicts. One primary way is the accommodation that is characterized by a lose/win situation. One party forfeits its position to accommodate the values, beliefs, or desires of the other. Compromise is also an effective method of addressing conflict. The technique entails negotiations where every party agrees to lose something they believe or desire. Therefore, unlike accommodation, the compromise method is based on finding common ground for the conflicting parties.

Avoidance is another method of solving a conflict. Unlike the accommodation and compromise method, avoidance is characterized by a lose/lose situation. In this method, conflicting parties ignore the need to resolve their issue. Therefore, the conflict remains unresolved. Competition is also a method of resolving disputes. However, the technique differs from the others because one party use dominance and power to win.

Finally, collaboration is the most effective of all the conflict resolution methods. The method entails finding the cause of a problem. Parties involved must commit to understand each other’s situation and find alternative solutions to their issue.

Destructive And Productive Behaviors People Exhibit While in Conflict

In conflict, people often exhibit destructive or productive behavior. Common destructive behaviors include criticism and dismissive no-verbals (Wood 72). When people disagree, it is common for them to focus on individual flaws and pass severe judgments. The judgment can assume the shape of disapproval and citing the negative aspects of a person. Dismissive non-verbals are also common destructive behaviors exhibited by people in conflict. People can use gestures or body language to upset one party. Familiar dismissive non-verbal cues include eye-rolling, heavy sighing, and looking uninterested with what one party says, among many others.

Even so, there are also productive behaviors that often help solve an issue between conflicting parties. Two primary constructive behaviors exhibited by people in conflict include mindful listening and looking for points of agreement (Wood 81). Listening to perspectives from each other is a significant way of starting the resolution process. By listening to each other, people can understand each other’s frustrations, thus ensuring positive decision-making. Consequently, conflicting people can collectively look for points of agreement. Looking for points of agreement is necessary because it aids in identifying common ground.

Case Scenario of Interpersonal Conflict in a Film

Disagreements and conflicts often characterize human interactions. In the movie ‘Don’t Trust a Soul,” two brothers are in constant arguments. However, this case study will focus on the scene where Joey confronted Matt for spending the money they stole at a party he organized. Joey has a differing view to that of Matt. Therefore, their conflict is about opposing ideas. The scene starts with Joey advancing towards a house with teenagers drinking alcohol, smoking, and dancing. He starts the conversation by questioning Matt, “for a stupid party?”. No!… or maybe little Matt replied (McAulay, 2021). Seeing Joey’s desire to inform him about his negative behavior, Matt used his dominance to chase him from the party. According to Joey, the money they stole was meant to pay their sickly mother’s medical bills. However, Matt is unconcerned with Joey’s argument. He cites that they were going to have fun. Thus, Joey should refrain from exhibiting concern about how the money was used.

Both Joey and Matt use a competing style of conflict. Both try to emphasize that their belief and opinion are right regarding the money they stole from an old neighbor’s house under the fumigation process. In the scene, Joey reminds Matt that “ you said the money was meant to pay for mum’s medical bills (McAulay, 2021).” Matt tries to downplay Joey’s argument by stating that “there is enough to go around.” When Joey tells Matt, “not if you waste it all (McAulay, 2021).” Since Matt is older and aggressive, he chases Joey from the party to win the argument using his dominance.

From the case, many aspects make it difficult for Joey and Matt to resolve their conflict. One significant factor is that both are intensely arguing, failing to listen to each other’s argument. Therefore, everyone ends up advancing his view regarding the party, stolen money, and sickly mother. Consequently, they fail to identify a common ground that would aid solve the problem.

Joey’s devastation is also a factor that hinders the resolution of the conflict. He is often trying to avoid Matt’s juvenile aggressive behavior. Furthermore, he does not enjoy the family bond because her mother is addicted to painkillers and obsessed with local crime stories.  Therefore, with the traumatizing family experience, Joey is not ready to let Matt win the conflict. Matt’s juvenile aggressive behavior is also a critical factor in preventing the resolution of the disagreement. He is consistently winning any argument against Joey. Therefore, he is not ready to see any sense in Joey’s opinion.

Strategies to Handle Conflict Better

In the film “Don’t Tell a Soul,” Joey and Matt are in constant disagreement. However, in all their arguments, no one practices mindful listening. When Joey talks, Matt uses non-verbal cues such as heavy sighing, eye-rolling, and looking uninterested. Joey is also subject to poor mindful listening. After all, he shows signs of being unconcerned with Matt’s arguments because he always makes terrible decisions. Even so, the problem could be addressed by practicing mindful listening. Matt is critical because Joey constantly argues from a reactive point of view. However, if Matt could listen to Joey before calmly giving his perspective, a solution could be found.

Joey and Matt could also solve the problem by looking for points of agreement. Their conflict is based on values and beliefs. Therefore, a significant point of understanding for the two teenagers is that stealing is not correct. Similarly, using money to engage in a drinking spree while a family member has unsettled medical bills is also wrong. With such a common ground, Matt and Joey could have identified the right thing to do, thus addressing their conflict.

Conclusion

Human interactions will always exhibit cases of conflict. However, people can avoid escalation of disputes by utilizing methods such as accommodation, collaboration, and compromisation. The three ways are crucial because conflicting parties find a sustainable solution that would not cause future disagreements. The methods are grounded on practices such as mindful listening and looking for points of agreement. In the film “Don’t Tell A Soul,” Joey and Matty utilized the competition method, preventing identifying a solution. Since everyone wanted to express his point and frustration with the other, they ended in a skirmish that could cost their freedom or even lives. Due to their un-ending conflict, Mr. Humby used Joey to get out of the hole he fell while chasing them. After getting out of the hole, he put Joey and Matt in a dangerous situation after opening fire on police officers. Therefore, it is always important to practice productive behavior such as mindful listening, looking for common grounds to avoid escalation of conflicts.

Work Cited

McAulay, A. (2021). Don’t Tell A Soul. Saban Films.

Wood, J. T. (2015). Interpersonal communication: Everyday encounters. Cengage Learning.