Psychological Dimensions of Conflict

Abstract

In Part I we argued that conflict attitudes could best be regarded as a set of psychological processes and conditions that accompany involvement in a conflict, particularly an intense one, where levels of personal involvement are high, and participants experience a marked degree of personal tension brought about by the existence and actions of a threatening adversary. Many writers on conflicts at various social levels have referred to ‘negative feelings’ or to ‘emotional antagonisms’ between members of the conflicting parties. Mutual fear and hostility are marked characteristics of parties in conflict, while such relationships also intensify the tendency for the same external ‘reality’ to be perceived quite differently by involved groups. An inter-related cluster of emotions, attitudes, prejudices and perceptual distortions accompany most forms of conflict, and lead to its continuation and exacerbation.

What do you mean, ‘My country right or wrong?’ Since when has our country ever been wrong? Cartoon in The New Yorker