Conflict

Defining conflict is not simple because it's not just a matter of disagreement. According to Wilmot & Hocker, "conflict is an expressed struggle between at least two interdependent parties who perceive incompatible goals, scare resources, and interference from others in achieving their goals". Within this definition, there are several aspects of conflict that we must consider when exploring this definition and its application to intercultural communication.

Conflict is an Expressed Struggle

Conflict is a communication process that is expressed verbally and nonverbally. Wilmot & Hocker assert that communication creates conflict, communication reflects conflict, and communication is the vehicle for the management of conflict. In cultures that are verbally direct or low context, conflict is easily identified because one party openly and verbally disagrees with the other. In cultures that are more indirect or high context, conflict may exist for some time before being expressed. In fact, conflict may never be verbally expressed making nonverbal communication cues extremely important.

Conflict is Interdependent

Parties engaged in conflict do so because they are interdependent. "A person who is not dependent upon another - that is, who has no special interest in what the other does - has no conflict with that other person". In other words, each parties' choices affect the other because conflict is a mutual activity.

Consider the teenager who chooses to wear an obnoxious or offensive t-shirt before catching the bus. People with no connections to the teen and notice the t-shirt are unlikely to engage in conflict. They have never seen the teen before, and probably won't again. The ill-advised decision to wear the t-shirt does not impact them, therefore the reason to engage in conflict does not exist.

The same scenario involving a teen and their parents would probably turn out differently. Because parents and teens are interdependent, the ill-advised decision to wear an offensive t-shirt could quickly escalate into a power struggle over individual autonomy that leads to harsh words and hurt feelings.

Conflict is Perceptual

Parties in conflict have perceptions about their own position and the position of others. Each party may also have a different perception of any given situation. If I do not view something as a conflict, it may not seem to be an impediment to competent communication to me, and I will continue as if nothing has happened. Whereas if you view something as a conflict, it will be an impediment to competent communication to you, and will need to be addressed or negotiated or mediated before continuing on.

Conflict Involves Clashes in Goals, Resources, and Behaviors

Conflict arises from differences. It occurs whenever parties disagree over their values, motivations, ideas, or desires. The perception might be that goals are mutually exclusive, or there's not enough resources to go around, or one party is sabotaging another. When conflict triggers strong feelings, a deep value is typically at the core of the problem. When the legitimacy of the conflicting values is recognized, it opens pathways to problem-solving.