Question

In: Psychology

How does power influence our conflicts? Is power an either or concept in our relationships?

How does power influence our conflicts? Is power an either or concept in our relationships?

Solutions

Expert Solution

  • Power is the intentional influence over the beliefs, emotions and behaviours of people.
  • The phenomenon of power is ubiquitous. Without influence (power), people would have no cooperation and no society. Without leadership (power) in medical, political, technological, financial, spiritual and organisational activities, humankind would not have the standard of living as it does today.
  • However, many problems with power stem from the goals of persons with power and the means they use, not the possession of power as such.
  • Conflict is a natural and very typical phenomenon in every type of human relationships, at every level: From intrapersonal to global. Conflicts at every level have very significant common characteristics and dynamics. People get involved in conflicts because their interests or their values are challenged or because their needs are not met.
  • Feeling "powerful and privileged" than the other person could lead to conflicts in relationships.Rank differences and the misuse or abuse of rank is behind all social situations and contributes to all conflicts. Having awareness of your own rank helps you to understand why you may feel less powerful or abused by someone with higher rank.
  • Having awareness of your higher rank can lessen the likelihood of your using it in a way that is experienced as hurtful or abusive by someone of lower rank. High rank can be used in a positive way if a person is conscious of their high rank and can occupy it congruently.
  • Rank is described as the sum total of a person’s power and privileges at any given moment. You earn some of your power and privilege over your life, by facing life’s challenges and overcoming them. Some rank is unearned; you acquire it by birth or social position.
  • Social Rank is generally unearned, and its relative powers and privileges are supported by social norms. They cover areas such as gender, class, ethnicity, colour, wealth, nationality and education.
  • Psychological/Spiritual Rank is the power that you gain from life experiences, particularly overcoming and surviving difficult and challenging situations; or it may come from a feeling of connection to a higher power or to nature/the environment, etc.
  • Rank affects the way that people interact with each other. It affects the level of trust people have of each other and it affects how safe they feel with each other. It affects the way that they can and will have conflict with each other.
  • Power features particularly strongly in romantic relationships because people’s goals, desires and happiness inevitably depend on their partner’s cooperation and investment.But, goals and desires often conflict in relationships, which produces the need to influence the partner’s thoughts and behaviors to reach one’s own desired outcomes
  • Thus, power dynamics are central to many relationship interactions, including situations in which (a) people need to influence their partner to achieve desired goals, such as during conflict, and (b) people are dependent on their partner for the fulfilment of core needs, such as when they need support.

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