Source: Image of Woman Crying, Public Domain, http://mrg.bz/fxX6mr; Image of Painting, Public Domain,http://mrg.bz/HRFzGu
Hi, I'm Julie Tietz. And welcome to Conflict Resolution-- putting the pieces together. Today, our topic for discussion is beyond the obvious-- the physical is not the only resource needed. So let's get started off by looking at our key terms.
Emotional factor-- a need which is not an external resource but rather an internal feeling. Tangible factor-- a need which is an external resource. Conflicts can arise from each of these factors. So let's get started at looking at some examples on how emotional and tangible factors contribute to conflict.
So tangible factor conflict involves a physical object. So there is a conflict over something that is tangible. And you could hold it in your hands per se. So let's use the example of your family's painting. Your grandmother has just passed away. And the family must decide what to do with this family painting that your grandmother held so dear.
Well, the conflict is whether or not you sell the painting because it does have some monetary value, or you keep it within the family. And through this discussion, emotions are starting to rise in this conflict that was originally over a tangible or physical item. And so we are attaching emotional value to this physical item.
Maybe you had fond memories of looking at the painting at your grandmother's house. And she told you stories about it, how important it made her feel. And so you are feeling all of these emotions surrounding this tangible object.
And so intangible factor conflicts-- emotions can arise out of these conflicts, as well as it being a conflict over a physical item, whereas in emotional factor conflicts, we are looking at the source of the conflict coming from an internal feeling.
So let's say somebody has hurt feelings. And a resentment builds. And then it displays destructive behavior by the person who had the hurt feelings. And this turns into a tangible factor that is arising from an emotional factor conflict.
So let's say that the person who had their feelings hurt are being destructive of the other person's property or maybe physically violent towards them. So we are turning these emotions and feelings to physical and tangible items or objects. And this destructive behavior or physical actions can further escalate the conflict between the parties and this emotional factor conflict.
So how can we de-escalate conflict? Well, the first thing that we need to do is try and find a way to meet the needs of the parties. And these are not only physical needs, but also looking at our emotional or relational needs so those needs that we can't physically see but rather the feelings. So we need to discuss these needs and draw attention to them so the parties are aware of each other's needs and how they can satisfy them or be concerned about the other going forward.
And the role of a conflict intervener in a conflict resolution process is to address and acknowledge all of the needs of the parties in the conflict. And again, we need to recognize the emotional and physical needs.
And so if there is a reaction that is emotional, we need to point that out and ask questions on why that person was feeling a certain way. And we also need to discuss physical items. Maybe the parties have come into the conflict resolution process over a conflict on a physical item such as, let's say, from the beginning of our tutorial, the family painting.
So now that we have talked about beyond the obvious, the physical is not the only resource needed, let's go over some of our key points. There are emotional and tangible factors that can be the sources of conflict. And each of these factors are equally important in addressing in a conflict.
And conflicts can arise from emotions, which are internal feelings, or also from tangible factors, which are things that we can physically or externally see or hold or as an external resource. And effective conflict resolution involves addressing all the needs both emotional and tangible. I really hope that you've gained something from this tutorial. And I can't wait to catch you again next time.