Skip to main content

Conflict and Confrontation

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Positive Relationships

Abstract

Conflict is often experienced as a negative force in relationships. This chapter explores the definition and dynamics of both healthy and destructive conflict. In doing this, it seeks out ways in which healthy conflict can strengthen relationships and highlights how negative outcomes can be mitigated. Issues of motivation and communication are discussed exploring ways to reduce the potential for misunderstanding and maximize positive resolution of issues.

Lois Edmund is Assistant Professor, Conflict Resolution Studies at Menno Simons College, Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Book Reviews Editor of Peace Research Journal.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adler, R. B., Rosenfeld, L. B., Proctor, R. F., II, & Winder, C. (2006). Interplay: The process of interpersonal communication. Don Mills: Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bock, J. G. (2001). Sharpening conflict management. Westport: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cassady, J. C., & Eissa, M. A. (Eds.). (2008). Emotional intelligence: Perspectives on educational and positive psychology. New York: Peter Lang.

    Google Scholar 

  • Decety, J., & Meyer, M. (2008). From emotion resonance to empathic understanding: A social developmental neuroscience account. Development and Psychopathology, 20, 1053–1080.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eidelson, R. J., & Eidelson, J. I. (2003). Dangerous ideas: Five beliefs that propel groups toward conflict. American Psychologist, 58(3), 182–192.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fowler, J. H., & Christakis, N. A. (2010). Cooperative behavior cascades in human social networks. Procedings of the National Academy of Science, 10(12), 5334–5338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frederickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology. American Psychologist, 56(3), 218–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galtung, J. (1990). Cultural violence. Journal of Peace Research, 27(3), 291–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibb, J. R. (1961). Defensive communication. Journal of Communication, 11(3), 141–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilmore, S. K., & Fraleigh, P. W. (1985). Communication at work. Eugene: Friendly.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional intelligence. New York: Bantam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goleman, D. (2000). An EI-based theory of performance. In D. Goleman & C. Cherniss (Eds.), The emotionally intelligent workplace. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottman, J. (1999). The marriage clinic: A scientifically based marital therapy. New York: WW Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenspan, N. (2004). Healing through the dark emotions: The wisdom of grief, fear and despair. Boston: Shambala.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, P. J., & Troth, A. C. (2002). Emotional intelligence and conflict resolution: Implications for human resource development. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 4(1), 62–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keysers, C., & Gazzola, V. (2009). Expanding the mirror: Vicarious activity for actions, emotions and sensations. Current Opinions in Neurobiology., 19, 1–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kilmann, R., & Thomas, K. W. (1975). Interpersonal conflict handling behaviour as reflections of Jungian personality dimensions. Psychological Reports, 37, 971–980.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • LeBon, G. (1896). The crowd: Study of the popular mind. Released 1996 by Project Gutenberg.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewicki, R. J., & Tomlinson, E. C. (2003). Trust and trust building. In G. Burgess & H. Burgess (Eds.), Beyond intractability. Boulder: Conflict Research Consortium. http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/trust_building/

  • Lewin, K. (1948). Resolving social conflict: Selected papers on group dynamics. In G. W. Lewin (Ed.), Resolving social conflict. New York: Harper and Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, S., Wackman, D., Nunnally, E., & Miller, P. (1992). Connecting. Evergreen: Interpersonal Communication Programs.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rahim, M. A., & Magner, N. R. (1995). Confirmatory factor analysis of the styles of handling interpersonal conflict: First order factor model and its invariance across groups. Journal of Applied Psychology, 80, 122–132.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Robert, M. (1982). Managing conflict from the inside out. Austin: Learning Concepts.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, L. (1977). The intuitive psychologist and his shortcomings: Distortions in the attribution process. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 10, pp. 173–220). New York: Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rummel, R. J. (1991). The conflict helix: Principles, practices of interpersonal, social and international conflict and cooperation. New Brunswick: Transaction.

    Google Scholar 

  • Segal, J. (2008). The language of emotional intelligence: The five essential tools for building powerful and effective relationships. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tannen, D. (1999). Argument culture. New York: Random.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tavris, C., & Aronson, E. (2007). Mistakes were made, but not by me. Orlando: Harcourt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S. E. (2006). Tend and befriend: Biobehavioral bases of affiliation under stress. Sage: Association for Psychological Science, Current Directions in Psychological Science series.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walton, R. E. (1969). Interpersonal peacemaking: Confrontation and third party consultation. Reading: Addison Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walton, R. E. (1987). Managing conflict: Interpersonal dialogue and peacemaking. Reading: Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wehr, P. (1979). Conflict regulation. Boulder: Westview.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilmot, W., & Hocker, J. (2011). Interpersonal conflict. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wylie, M. S. (2003). Why is this man smiling? Psychotherapy Networker, 27(1), 46–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zimbardo, P., Johnson, R. L., & McCann, V. (2009). Psychology: Core concepts. New York: Pearson.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lois Edmund .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Netherlands

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Edmund, L. (2012). Conflict and Confrontation. In: Roffey, S. (eds) Positive Relationships. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2147-0_16

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics