Chapter 8 Conflict and Cohesion in Groups 1 Conflict in Groups effective groups balance the conflict cohesion dialectic Whereas group members with different perspectives and opinions can promote critical thinking and creative problem solving too many differences or one difference that is so strong it dominates group resources can overwhelm the group and its ability to achieve the group s goal In terms of resolving this dialectic tension groups must find ways to balance constructive conflict with the need for unity and cohesiveness When treated as an expression of legitimate differences conflict can improve group problem solving promote cohesiveness increase group knowledge enhance creativity and promote the group s goal We define conflict as the disagreement and disharmony that occur in groups when members express differences regarding group goals member ideas behavior and roles or group procedures and norms a Substantive Conflict i Substantive conflict occurs when members disagree about issues ideas decisions actions or goals ii When a group cannot negotiate a both and approach to the individual goal group goal dialectic hidden agendas emerge iii Conflicts become serious problems when the members hidden goals conflict and interfere with the group s goal b Affective Conflict i Affective conflict is the result of interpersonal disagreements difference in personalities and communication styles and members conflicting core values and beliefs ii Affective conflict also occurs when members do not feel appreciated feel threatened by the group or struggle for power iii Affective conflict is more difficult to resolve than substantive conflict because it involves people s feelings and the way members relate to one another iv When a personal relationship between two group members turns sour the entire group may suffer particularly if the conflict is characterized by insults acts of revenge or loss of time on task v Substantive and affective conflict may occur at the same time i Procedural conflict is disagreement among group members about the method or process the group uses in its attempt to accomplish a goal ii Procedural conflicts sometimes arise when groups have difficulty resolving substantive or affective conflict c Procedural Conflict 2 Constructive and Destructive Conflict a Constructive conflict occurs when group members express disagreement in ways that value everyone s contributions and promote the group s goal b We can treat conflict as dialectic experiences that imprison us or lead us on a journey as a battle that embitters us or as an opportunity for learning Our choices between these contrasting attitudes and approaches will shape the way the conflict unfolds c Destructive conflict results when members engage in behaviors that create hostility and prevent the group form achieving its goals d Complaining personal insults conflict avoidance and loud arguments or threats contribute to destructive conflict e The quality of group decision making deteriorates when members are inflexible and no open to other views f Constructive conflict i Focus on issues ii Respect for others iii Supportiveness iv Flexibility v Cooperation seeking win win solutions vi Commitment to conflict management g Destructive conflict i Focus on personalities makes personal attacks ii Disrespectful tone of voice or body language insults iii Defensiveness iv v Competition seeking I win solutions vi Conflict avoidance Inflexibility 3 Conflict Styles these styles reflect the tension between seeking personal goals and working cooperatively to achieve the group s goal a Avoidance Conflict Style i Members use an avoidance conflict style when they are unable or unwilling to accomplish their own goals or contribute to achieving the group s goal ii Group members who use this style may change the subject avoid bringing up a controversial issue and even deny that a conflict exists iii Avoiding conflict in groups is counterproductive because it fails to address a problem and can increase group tensions In some circumstances however avoiding conflict can be appropriate specifically when iv 1 The issue is not that important to you 2 You need time to collect your thoughts or control your 3 Other group members are addressing the problem emotions effectively 4 The consequences of confrontation are too risky b Accommodation Conflict Style i Group members using the accommodation conflict style give in to other members at the expense of their own goals ii They believe that giving into others serves the needs of the group even when the group could benefit from further discussion iii Accommodation can be highly appropriate when 1 The issue is very important to others but it not very 2 important to you It is more important to preserve group harmony than to resolve the issue 3 You realize you are wrong or you have changed your mind 4 You are unlikely to succeed in persuading the group to c Competition Conflict Style adopt your position i The competition conflict style occurs when group members are more concerned with their own goals than with those of the group ii When used inappropriately the competitive style generates iii hostility ridicule and personal attacks against group members In certain group situations however the competitive approach may be appropriate such as when 1 You have strong beliefs about an important issue 2 He group must act immediately on an urgent issue or in an emergency serious or harmful 3 The consequences of the group s decision may be very 4 You believe that the group may be acting unethically or d Compromise Conflict Style illegally i The compromise conflict style is a middle ground approach to conflict in which group members give in on some goals in order to achieve other goals they want more strongly ii Group members who approach conflict through compromise argue that it is a fair method of resolving problems because everyone loses equally iii The compromise approach works best when 1 Other methods of resolving the conflict are not working 2 The members have reached an impasse and are no longer progressing toward a reasonable solution 3 The group does not have enough time to explore more e Collaboration Conflict Style creative solutions i The collaboration conflict style searches for new solutions that will achieve both the individual goals of group members and the goals of the group Instead of arguing over who is right or wrong the collaborative group seeks creative solutions that satisfy everyone