Communication in Conflict Resolution

The significance of communication cannot be underestimated, whether or not it is at home or the workplace. The art of verbal exchange is vital because it determines the stage of interpersonal interaction that is possible between two or greater individuals. Oftentimes, interpersonal communication between relatives, friends, or workmates may lead to some disagreements due to different opinions. Whenever two people fail to agree on a particular course that they ought to choose or instances of conflicting ideas, unhealthy arguments that end result to fights are bound to occur. Since communication is inevitable, it is wholesome to come up with ideas and remedies to unravel such conflicts.
I find it fascinating when some individuals, due to their egos, feel the need to dominate others or become controlling in situations that require collaboration. I feel that the cause of this kind of behavior is an inferiority complex which drives a person to think that other people undervalue them and they need to show their might. For example, the new supervisor at the production department constantly gets into verbal fights with his subordinates. This kind of behavior is unhealthy for the company. I think co-workers should be encouraged to work together and the supervisors should act like a sign of confluence from which inspiration to achieve the company’s goals comes. His attitude, unlike his predecessor, causes disgruntlement among other employees, and has, on many occasions resulted in verbal fights.

Burton (1969) argues that people have different perspectives and points of views when it comes to conflict resolution. Whenever conflicts occur, it is always a good idea to seek an understanding of the real issues that sparked the animosity. People should learn to manage anger, and always resort to silence and inaction whenever they are angry at someone. This approach prevents the escalation of conflicts. Another alternative for resolving communication conflict would be to accommodate views that are different from another person. This style implies that one has a low concern for the self and high concern for others and is willing to listen to voices of reason from other parties. Listening offers an alternative path of conflict resolution in which people iron out their differences without hurting each other either physically or verbally (Burton, 1969). Sometimes it would be unwise to take in another person’s idea without giving your own idea unless one is obeying.

The compromising approach in communication would be a third best alternative to a negotiated conflict. Whenever people fail to agree on a particular decision, they should be willing to compromise for the greater good, which is the restoration of calm. The compromising style implies that one has some moderate concern for both the self and others (Mohr & Spekman, 1994). This style is a good alternative for resolving conflict although it produces a temporary solution at times since one may give up on some issues in order to protect a relationship.

Comparing the knowledge I learnt in class and the information I have gotten from the referenced books, I hold a great regard of the importance of resolving communication conflicts. The different conflict resolution styles give us a different view of the ways of resolving the conflict. Various techniques may be used to arrive at a truce or permanent and conclusive resolution. However, the most effective tool in communication is the willingness to compromise in order for everyone to be partly satisfied.

Racial and Ethnic Groups Conflict

The answer to the question about which living organisms like division would be human beings. It is not enough that humans control nature to their advantage; the division techniques and mechanisms go beyond just the generic specificity of being human. It is a fact that human beings are divided into different races spread across the six inhabited continents of the earth. Racial diversity is a positive perspective in which people live in accord regardless of the colors of their skins or differences in their cultures (Augoustinos & Reynolds, 2001). Racism is a negative aspect of the racial variations in which certain people feel and act more powerful and more deserving than others. The history of human beings is full of enslavement of different communities and races based on their appearances, making race a curse or luck to be born in particular affiliation.

I have witnessed various instances of racism personally in both places of public utility and the media. It seems that the society is organized in form of a pyramid in which certain races are forever the occupants of the apex while others support them at the base. For instance, some people flatly refuse to be served by people belonging to particular races, and even go ahead to insult them. Many videos go viral on the Internet in which a White, perceived to be powerful and more dominant, seeks to control the non-White population whether at work, restaurants, or hospitals. I was shocked to see a White mother visiting a hospital in Canada and demanding that her son should be treated only by a White doctor (Brockbank & Xing, 2017). She hurled abuses at the people of different races until she had to be ejected from the hospital for causing chaos.

In the modern world, people experience a lot of civil wars between different races or ethnic groups that neighbor with each other. The example of racial animosity has lead to the loss of millions of lives in the Holocaust, enslavement of black people, among many others. It has caused animosity between different groups of people who may be ready to fight at any moment. People should develop beyond racial views and embrace diversity instead of killing each other due to physical attributes. Jalali and Lipset (1992) argue that conflicts can be resolved through principled negotiation. I tend to agree with this idea because negotiations bring about understanding between the conflicting parties.

Moreover, if the two fighting groups have been in constant disagreement for a long period of time, the best alternative to resolving such a conflict would be mediation. A third party, which is neutral and favoring none of the two groups should be used to instill reason into the two parties (Williams, 1994). I agree with the fact that mediation can be instrumental in resolving conflict since it entails the use of peaceful negotiation.

Similarly, a second alternative that can be used to resolve racial conflicts would be avoidance. As much as avoiding would help to keep away from conflicts, it can never be the best option in resolving racial conflicts since it hinders the ability of different communities to relate and execute trade with each other.

From the research done on the different views of different authors, I hold an opinion that racial and ethnic conflicts are common and normal in every community setting. Therefore, every community should be obligated to resolve their differences with the neighboring community by ensuring that there are principled negotiations and mediation, and also ensuring that they avoid instances that would lead to conflicts.

Identity & Community Conflict

In all aspects of life and creation, every individual human being is unique in his or her own way. People have different reasoning capabilities and differ in opinions and thought. Sometimes the external environment that surrounds an individual may influence on his or her behaviors. Since people have different viewpoints of different issues, they tend to conflict with those that do not hold their opinions.

For the people who have not yet gained self-awareness, especially the youths, it is easy for them to get into unnecessary conflicts since they misunderstand each other. Rothman (1997) explains that on a personal level, conflicts may be very ruinous since it may lead to hatred or violent fights. Some conflicts on a personal level when well managed may lead to strengthening of some relationships.

According to class notes, conflict resolution starts with negotiation. When a person is confronted with identity conflict, one can apply the human needs model to resolve the conflict. One should valuate himself or herself to decide on what he or she needs most on a scale of preference (Bremner, 2001). If the conflict is between two individuals, the best alternative to resolve the conflict would be accommodation. Accommodating each other’s ideas would highly reduce the occurrence of conflicts. I also concur with the idea of negotiation being a best alternative of conflict resolution.

My opinion on the matter of identity conflicts is that people should be taught how to relate to others since people are always different. It would be very unwise for one to misunderstand the other or expect them to behave the same way that he or she does.

Reflecting on the different ideas of identity conflicts, it is easy to note that it is very easy for individuals to fall into conflicts with each other due to different opinions and different reasoning capabilities. Additionally, lack of self-awareness may render one into conflicts especially for the youth. The reflection also shows that ways that can be used to resolve identity conflicts are negotiation, human needs model and also the accommodation method.

Mediation & Politics

Politics, for a very long time have been a part and parcel of human life. Politics have shaped the type of leadership that has been used to govern different countries all over the world. National politics have been the mother of all politics and has therefore influenced that at other levels of governance. Political conflicts has been a prevalent case in almost all countries in the world. This has been as a result of many factors that rages from: Differing of opinions, different racial and ethnic groups, contrasting interests among other factors.

According to Montville (1993) conflicts should be negotiated so that a remedy is reached early enough before the conflict escalates to a higher level that may yield into violence or war. Since politics is an international issue, various bodies of resolving conflicts are often involved. According to my reflection of different authors, such a conflict can be resolved through conflict transformation. So as to get a good remedy, such a conflict should be transformed such that it becomes only divided interests.

Putting into consideration the class notes and essays from different scholars, mediation can be used to resolve conflicts where there are disagreements between two parties. A third party, which is neutral should be used to play the role of a mediator (Montville, 1993). However, in case the two parties are not willing to get into a dialogue with each other, mediation cannot be of any help.

The cooperative model can be used as a best alternative to a negotiated conflict. This model also has some limitations when the two parties are not willing to get into a dialogue with each other. A second alternative would be negotiation. In my opinion, I would rather the conflicting party get into principled negotiation so that they agree on their differences.

From the discussion, we can infer that politics is part of life and political conflicts thereof. Since it is not worthwhile living with incessant conflicts, such political conflicts should be resolved by the use of mediation, negotiation and the cooperative model.

Academic Ethics

In every learning institution, academic ethics is of great importance. Whether in research projects, examinations, or during learning session, students should always ensure that they follow the codes of conduct that are set to govern academics. In most cases, some students find themselves conflicting with such rules since they overlook some of the rules that are set.

Examples of instances that student get into academic conflicts is the violation of deadlines. Ones the student does not deliver their work on time, they automatically get themselves into conflict with the academic authorities. According to Hamilton (2002) conflicts can be direct or indirect. Academic conflicts can be resolved mostly by cooperative models. Once the student cooperates with the requirements, it is very easy for them to resolve the conflicts.

In academic ethics, a best alternative to a negotiated conflict is accommodation. Accommodating the rules and regulations is essential to ensure that the student is always on the safe side. Accommodation mostly shows that the student is obeying. A second best alternative to a negotiated conflict is conflict transmutation. Once a student is aware of the type of conflict that they are in, they are in a better position of dealing with the conflict (Hamilton, 2002).

In my opinion, academic conflict, since it is a reserve for those in the academic realm, should be dealt with in a professional way. Both the cooperative and the accommodation models should be used together in order to bear the best result.

Summing up the essay’s ideas on academic ethics, we learn that there are academic conflicts that face students in their day to day learning experiences. Since the conflicts are like any other conflicts, they should be dealt with in order to provide a good learning environment. Ways that can be used to resolve such conflicts are accommodating, cooperative and conflict transmutation.

References

Augoustinos, M., & Reynolds, K. J. (2001). Understanding prejudice, racism, and social conflict. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Bremner, D. (2001). South African experiences with identity and community conflicts. Journal of Peace Research, 38(3), 393-405.

Brockbank, N., & Xing, L. (2017). Video shows woman demand a 'white doctor' treat son at Mississauga, Ont., clinic. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/white-doctor-video-mississauga-1.4168199

Burton, J. W. (1969). Conflict & communication: The use of controlled communication in international relations. New York: Free Press.

Hamilton, N. W. (2002). Academic ethics: Problems and materials on professional conduct and shared governance. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group.

Jalali, R., & Lipset, S. M. (1992). Racial and ethnic conflicts: A global perspective. Political Science Quarterly, 107(4), 585-606.

Mohr, J., & Spekman, R. (1994). Characteristics of partnership success: Partnership attributes, communication behavior, and conflict resolution techniques. Strategic Management Journal, 15(2), 135-152.

Montville, J. V. (1993). The healing function in political conflict resolution. Conflict Resolution Theory And Practice: Integration And Application, 112-127.

Rothman, J. (1997). Resolving identity-based conflict in nations, organizations, and communities. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Williams Jr, R. M. (1994). The sociology of ethnic conflicts: Comparative international perspectives. Annual Review of Sociology, 20(1), 49-79.