The Source of Couple Conflicts
Paweł Janicki
COMMUNICATION AND EMOTIONS
The source of couple conflicts
2009/2010
Conflict occurs between people in all kinds of human relationships and in all social settings. Because of the wide range of potential differences among people, the absence of conflict usually signals the absence of meaningful interaction. Conflict by itself is neither good nor bad. However, the manner in which conflict is handled determines whether it is constructive or destructive (Deutsch and Coleman, 2000). The same conflict characteristic refers to couples relationships indicating their mutual and intimate interactions and defining the reasons for conflict situations. Conflict has the potential for either a great deal of destruction or much creativity and positive social change (Fink, 1968). Therefore, it is essential to understand the basic processes of conflict in order to comprehend its nature and influence on couples lives and describe common sources of conflict. According to Fisher (1990: 70) conflict is defined as ‘an incompatibility of goals or values between two or more parties in a relationship, combined with attempts to control each other and antagonistic feelings toward each other’. He states that the incompatibility or difference may exist in reality or may only be perceived by the parties involved. Nonetheless, the opposing actions and the hostile emotions are very real hallmarks of human conflict (Fisher, 1990). Early reviews in the field of conflict resolution identified a large number of schemes for describing sources or types of conflict (Fink, 1968). One of the early theorists on conflict, Daniel Katz (1965), created a typology that distinguishes four main sources of conflict among couples which are: economic, value, power and communication. Katz (1965) states that economic conflict appears when each party wants to get the most that it can and the behavior and emotions of each party are directed toward maximizing its gain. Value conflict
COMMUNICATION AND EMOTIONS
The source of couple conflicts
2009/2010
Conflict occurs between people in all kinds of human relationships and in all social settings. Because of the wide range of potential differences among people, the absence of conflict usually signals the absence of meaningful interaction. Conflict by itself is neither good nor bad. However, the manner in which conflict is handled determines whether it is constructive or destructive (Deutsch and Coleman, 2000). The same conflict characteristic refers to couples relationships indicating their mutual and intimate interactions and defining the reasons for conflict situations. Conflict has the potential for either a great deal of destruction or much creativity and positive social change (Fink, 1968). Therefore, it is essential to understand the basic processes of conflict in order to comprehend its nature and influence on couples lives and describe common sources of conflict. According to Fisher (1990: 70) conflict is defined as ‘an incompatibility of goals or values between two or more parties in a relationship, combined with attempts to control each other and antagonistic feelings toward each other’. He states that the incompatibility or difference may exist in reality or may only be perceived by the parties involved. Nonetheless, the opposing actions and the hostile emotions are very real hallmarks of human conflict (Fisher, 1990). Early reviews in the field of conflict resolution identified a large number of schemes for describing sources or types of conflict (Fink, 1968). One of the early theorists on conflict, Daniel Katz (1965), created a typology that distinguishes four main sources of conflict among couples which are: economic, value, power and communication. Katz (1965) states that economic conflict appears when each party wants to get the most that it can and the behavior and emotions of each party are directed toward maximizing its gain. Value conflict
References: Booth, A. and A. C. Crouter and M. Clements. 2001. Couples in Conflict. New York: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Deutsch, M. and P. Coleman. (eds.). 2000. The handbook of conflict resolution: Theory and practice. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Fink, C.F. 1968. “Some conceptual difficulties in the theory of social conflict”. Journal of Conflict Resolution. 12(4), 412-460. Fisher, R.J. 1990. The social psychology of intergroup and international conflict resolution. New York: Springer-Verlag. Katz, D. 1965. “Nationalism and strategies of international conflict resolution”. Journal of Conflict Resolution. 16, 356-390. Noller, P. and J. Feeney. 2002. Understanding marriage: developments in the study of couple interaction. Cambridge and New York: Cambridge University Press. ce of couple