Conflict, Mediation, and Negotiation

Scope

Conflict and conflict resolution scholars view the relationship between communication and conflict from varying perspectives ranged on a continuum between conflict and communication as separate constructs and conflict and communication as interdependent constructs. A scholar’s perspective of the relationship between conflict and communication influences the theoretical and methodological choices he or she makes to study conflict, mediation, and negotiation. Some scholars approach communication and conflict as separate variables. As an independent variable, communication shapes conflict, and the different communication choices one makes in conflict interaction determines how the conflict will unfold. Scholars who view communication as a variable might study conflict as a single episode, rather than an ongoing process. Understanding how communication shapes conflict provides insight into the causes of conflict and potential strategies and tactics to enact.

Scholars who study communication as a process are concerned with how communication shapes conflict over time. Particularly, they are interested in the patterns of communication and conflict that develop across a conflict scenario. By understanding conflict patterns, one can then understand how to alter the pattern to modify the outcome.

Other scholars are interested in the interpretation or meaning that can be made from the interaction between conflict and communication. For example, scholars might be interested in how a specific communicative behavior, such as using cooperative messages, can change the relationship between the conflict parties, and thereby change the way the parties communicate in the future.

Finally, scholars who view the relationship between conflict and communication as interdependent view the two as working together to shape the interaction and how that relationship influences the conflict scenario. Dialectical scholars are interested in the tensions between two poles (e.g., autonomy-connection, openness-closedness). By viewing the relationship between conflict and communication from multiple perspectives, scholars are better able to understand conflict as a system and its behavioral components over time.

Domains

Scholars study conflict in a variety of research domains. Four major domains include interpersonal, organizational, community, and intercultural or international contexts. Interpersonal scholars study how conflict is enacted, how conflict influences a relationship, the outcomes of conflict, and the like. Specifically, interpersonal conflict scholars may be interested in the emotional or cognitive aspects of conflict, conflict in dating and marital relationships, intimate partner violence, family conflict, or competent conflict management. Scholars interested in conflict and organizational communication are focused on how and why conflict occurs in an organizational setting, and how conflict can be effectively managed. For example, organizational conflict scholars might study workgroup conflict, bullying, work–life conflict, conflict management in health care, conflict resolution education, negotiation/negotiating contracts, and/or the conflict in downsizing departments, work groups, or organizations.

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