Types of Conflict
There are many types of conflict. We may have interpersonal conflicts with family members or friends, but in this course, we are addressing workplace conflict. Many of the skills you learn in this course may help you in your relationships, but the purpose of this course is to utilize these skills in the workplace. The types of conflict we will address in this section are goal, cognitive, affective, and behavioral. There are other types of conflict, but most fall into one of these four categories.
If we are to try to understand the roots of conflict, we need to know what type of conflict is present. At least four types of conflict can be identified:
- Goal conflict. Goal conflict can occur when one person or group desires a different outcome than others do. This is simply a clash over whose goals are going to be pursued.
- Cognitive conflict. Cognitive conflict can result when one person or group holds ideas or opinions that are inconsistent with those of others. This type of conflict is evident in political debates.
- Affective conflict. This type of conflict emerges when one person's or group's feelings or emotions (attitudes) are incompatible with those of others. Affective conflict is seen in situations where two individuals simply don't get along with each other.
- Behavioral conflict. Behavioral conflict exists when one person or group does something (i.e., behaves in a certain way) that is unacceptable to others. Dressing for work in a way that "offends" others and using profane language are examples of behavioral conflict.
Each of these types of conflict is usually triggered by different factors, and each can lead to very different responses by the individual or group.
Source: J. Stewart Black and David S. Bright; OpenStax, https://openstax.org/books/organizational-behavior/pages/14-1-conflict-in-organizations-basic-considerations
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