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Conflict Escalation
Conflict Escalation: A Five Phase
Model
Susan and Theresa had been business partners in their professional practice for
20 years. The practice was very successful, but Susan and Theresa had grown
apart in lifestyles, goals, and attitudes. They did not discuss these changes with
each other. Instead, as is so often the case, they let small annoyances fester.
After awhile, they stopped communicating. Business was conducted through
memos or their staff.
The case became expensive. Clients were caught in the fight and left the firm.
The attorneys' fees were $10,000 per month. The office was in chaos. At
Theresa's deposition, Susan's lawyer was very aggressive, suggesting by the
questions that Theresa had committed fraud, when that was not the case.
Theresa, furious at Susan, refused to consider any overture of settlement.
Together into
the abyss
Fragmentation
of the enemy
Limited destructive
blows
Strategies of
threats
Loss of face
Images and
coalitions
Actions, not
words
Debates
Hardening
STAGE 1: HARDENING
The first stage of conflict escalation develops when a difference
over some issue or frustration in a relationship proves resilient to
resolution efforts.
The parties look for more forceful ways of pushing through their
viewpoints/ standpoints.
Suggestive comments about the relation of the central issue with other concerns, linking
the issue to larger value considerations.
social reputation,
general attitude,
position and
relationship to others.
STAGE 4: IMAGES AND
COALITIONS
At stage 4 the conflict is no longer about concrete issues,
but about victory or defeat.
unreliability,
incompetence,
bossiness, etc.)
The negative images are now screens that occupy the
field of vision whenever the parties meet each other.
Loss of face means that the conflict parties feel that they
have suddenly seen through the mask of the other party,
and discovered
an immoral,
insane or
criminal inside.
The whole conflict history is now reinterpreted: one
feels that the other side has followed an immoral
strategy from the very beginning.
One's own side is a representative of the good forces whereas the other
side represents the destructive, subhuman, and heartless forces.
stress,
uncontrollable aggressive actions, and
increasing turbulence and complexity