When you hear the word conflict, your first thought is probably of a couple fighting or some sort of physical altercation like a fist fight. However, conflict doesn’t have to be that extreme. The most compelling stories involve opposing forces that make the protagonist struggle to overcome them. This is what makes conflict so exciting to read and watch, as the characters are forced to face their limits and grow as people.

In a more formal sense, conflict is any disagreement over values, goals, or understanding between two parties. It can also include all forms of opposition and antagonistic interaction between people and groups. Conflict can arouse emotions, irritate others, and cause people to behave in ways that are not consistent with their stated values. It can also interfere with achieving goals, reduce group cohesion, and lower satisfaction levels.

Conflict is a natural part of life, and it can occur in all kinds of situations. It’s important to learn how to deal with conflict in a healthy way. This will help you avoid hurt feelings, resentments, and misunderstandings, which can damage your relationships. It’s also essential to understand what causes conflicts and how to prevent them from arising.

A common source of conflict is a lack of resources or mutually exclusive goals. This type of conflict is most often seen in business and government. Another common reason for conflict is the use of a faulty value system, which leads to incompatible beliefs about what’s right and wrong. These types of conflicts are usually more difficult to resolve.

Conflict can also be caused by emotional or personality differences, which can lead to an inability to compromise or see the other person’s point of view. This type of conflict is usually less serious and can be resolved by talking things out.

There are also conflict types that arise from internal issues such as a person’s inability to choose between different options or the desire to “get their own way.” This type of conflict is often more difficult to address than external conflicts. It may require the help of a neutral third party or an expert. Attempting to resolve internal conflict by arguing about the benefits of a specific position can be counterproductive, as this focuses on saving face rather than finding an acceptable resolution. Instead, try focusing on identifying the interests that lie beneath each position and then choosing a position that best satisfies those interests. This method of resolving conflict is called interest-based negotiation and is the most effective when used in conjunction with other methods of conflict resolution. It’s also a great option for addressing conflicts that occur in groups.