Elementary Forms of Conflict Management (From New Directions in the Study of Justice, Law, and Social Control, P 43-69, 1990, Melvin J Lerner, ed. -- See NCJ-121983)

• NCJ Number: 121985
• Author(s): D Black
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 27 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation
• Sale Source: Plenum Press
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Critical Issues in Social Justice Series

Annotation

This comparative analysis suggests that specific social and cultural contexts guide the form of and options for conflict resolution.

Abstract

Five forms of conflict management for handling grievances are self-help, avoidance, negotiation, settlement, and toleration. Self-help is the handling of a grievance by unilateral aggression and can be characterized by vengeance, discipline, and rebellion. Avoidance is the handling of a grievance by curtailing interaction. Either the aggrieved or offending party may initiate and accomplish avoidance or both may withdraw at the same time. Avoidance ranges from permanent flight to a temporary reduction in contact. Negotiation is the handling of a grievance by joint decision and may include the intervention of a third party negotiator. Negotiation is the primary mode of handling major conflicts in many simple societies throughout the world and occurs more frequently than violence in social fields with such characteristics as equality, cross-linkages, organization, homogeneity, and accessibility. Settlement is the handling of a grievance by a nonpartisan third party, and the most familiar examples are mediation, arbitration, and adjudication. Toleration constitutes inaction when a grievance might otherwise be handled. Although arguably not a form of conflict management, toleration is sometimes advocated as the most effective response to deviant behavior. 150 references, 1 figure.