Conflict Management and Resolution

The purpose of this article is to examine how to manage and resolve conflict that arises from dissatisfied needs and incompatible interests. The way we respond to conflict has broad implications for human well-being and social change. After discussing conceptual issues, the article examines three different models of interpreting conflict. Then it explains diverse ways of dealing with a broad range of problems. These include negotiation, adjudication, mediation, arbitration, problem solving workshops, and consensus building. The final section looks at issues relevant to the application of these methods.