Question

What characteristics are associated with functional versus dysfunctional conflict? Please explain your answer.

Answer 1

Conflict can be defined as a disagreement or an misunderstanding which leads to dismantling of the group dynamics, and the opposition is seen as a threat to the needs and interest to the other. Conflict can trigger the stereotypes and discrimination against those who are viewed as the other. It usually is an result of disunity and inconsistency between the two social entities. Many factors can led to this form of social disharmony; lack of clarity in communication, feelings of dissociation and lack of trust are few of them. There are two types of conflict -functional and dysfunctional.Both are explained below.

Functional conflict are constructive in nature. It encourages the people involved in the conflict scenario to analyse and be aware of the conflict. They are willing to hear the opposition, identify problematic areas, analyse the conflict and resolve it by considering remedies given by each member of the group. On the other hand, dysfunctional conflict is destructive in nature, as it involves disputes, misunderstandings, dissagrements between the members that is neither resolved nor is look into. This often leads to downfall of the organization in which conflicted members are part of.

Some of the characteristics of functional conflict are as follows.1 Analytical-Group members analytically look for alternatives to diffuse the conflict. Identifying the source of conflict, adjusting views regarding it,changing perspective about the conflict scenario and expression of emotional and cognitive viewpoints of the members involved in conflict creates an awareness and insight to the problem. This leads to a successful resolving of the conflict.2-Group cohesiveness - Conflict creates solidarity and unity among the members who are going through a conflicted situation. It inserts a sense of inclusion which aids them in resolving and acheiving the goal collectively . Some of the characteristics of dysfunctional conflict are as follows.1- Increased tension and lack of group unity-The inability to look at the problem analytically and the resources to solve the issue leads to disharmony within the group. The members starts to view themselves as an individual rather than collective, which not only disrupts the group cohesiveness but also leads to high tension among the group members. 2- Increased dissatisfaction and rate of turnover in an orgsnization. Due to inability to resolve the conflict, there is not only an increase in tension but also dissagrements and dissatisfaction among the members. This leads to increase rate in turnover and dissociation from the organization or that particular social entity. Nonetheless , conflict can be resolved if the sourceof the problem,origin of the conflic and awareness of the these two are present among and within the group members of any social entity.

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