ABSTRACT
Conflict arises in different contexts, and occurs at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, intergroup, organizational, and international levels. Conflict exists when incompatible goals develop between persons, groups, or nations (Deutsch and Coleman 2000). It is important to pay attention to the origins, development, and life cycle of conflict as well as the factors that lead to conflict escalation and de-escalation, and the attitudes, behaviors, situations, goals, and values that influence individuals’ interaction and intervention styles (Rubin et al. 1992). The parties choose contending, yielding, withdrawing, inaction, or problemsolving strategies to cope with incompatible goals, emotions, and images of the other that escalate the conflict (ibid.). Bargaining, threats, and pressures are used to influence the other party’s decisions and behaviors, and either escalate or through third party intervention de-escalate the conflict (Pearson 2001).
