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Tension

Author: Sophia
what's covered
While there are a number of ways that conflict can be broken into stages, all models look at three large phases:
  • Pre-conflict
  • Conflict
  • Post-conflict.
In this lesson, we will discuss the fourth stage within the conflict phase by focusing on:
  1. Tension Stage of Conflict
  2. Role in the Conflict Resolution Process

1. Tension Stage of Conflict

The pre-conflict stage is when an issue may be brewing, but you're not really aware of what it is. Then, of course, there's the actual conflict stage and the post-conflict stage when things are resolved.

File:14743-stages of conflict mockup.png

Within the conflict phase, the very first stage is often the feeling of discomfort that something is wrong. Following discomfort is the incident stage, where something either minor or major happens to bring the conflict out in the open. Next often comes the misunderstanding stage, which leads to tension.

The tension stage of conflict is the stage in which parties find communication with each other difficult or impossible. The parties consistently attribute negative motives and traits to each other, and may even attempt to enlist allies.

EXAMPLE

Susan is having a conflict with her siblings over what to do with their elderly father. He's been living alone in the family home, and for years that seems to have been working out okay. She's been checking on him every week, and sometimes she's been making meals for him. Recently, however, he fell. Susan had a talk with his doctor, and she feels like maybe it's time for him to move out of the home.

Susan’s brother, John, agrees with her, but her two sisters do not agree. Each time they've all sat down to discuss this, it's become more and more tense. It's now at the point where Susan and her brother can’t seem to talk to their other two sisters.

Susan is feeling as though she can't even be heard, and nobody understands the care she's been giving. She's been closest to the situation, and things just unraveled. She feels the only person she can talk to is John; the tension between her and her sisters is building because of this family dilemma. Her dad doesn't want to move, which of course makes it even more difficult to discuss with her siblings.

EXAMPLE

You’re working on a project at work that isn’t going very well. You believe this is because the team member that you're working with wants to rush things. If you rush things and get them wrong, you'll have to go back and redo them; you would like to take your time.

Your coworker is accusing you of wasting time, but you feel as though things need to be checked; you have an actual process. You work differently than your coworker, who seems to fly by the seat of her pants. You're not quite sure how she's going to get this project done if she doesn't follow the protocol.

You've been talking to others on the team who agree with you, and she's been talking to other people about you. In fact, you just saw an email that she sent, in which she said some very negative things about you.

It has reached a point where you don't want to speak to her and you're uncomfortable going to work. Because of this tension, you don't know how the two of you will get the project done.

term to know

Tension Stage of Conflict
The stage of conflict in which parties find communication with each other difficult or impossible, consistently attribute negative traits to each other, and may attempt to enlist allies.

2. Role in the Conflict Resolution Process

As we’ve discussed before, it's important to remember that during a conflict, the stages can escalate or de-escalate back and forth from tension to misunderstanding to discomfort. Thus, it’s always a good idea to address a conflict at the earliest possible stage.

Once a conflict has reached the tension stage, it might be very difficult for the conflicting parties to even talk to each other. In this case, they may decide they need some outside help.

EXAMPLE

Susan decides to bring in the family's priest to sit down with the family and facilitate a discussion. Things have become so tense that was it was impossible for the siblings to get together in the same room without arguing. Having an outside party facilitate a discussion really allowed all of the siblings to voice their feelings, and they were able to clear the air.

EXAMPLE

At work, you might decide that you need to talk with the team leader about the project. Bringing in the team leader to discuss your concerns might be a way of stepping in at this point during the tension stage.

summary
In this lesson, you learned about the tension stage of conflict, and how bringing in an outside party to facilitate the conflict resolution process can be very effective if the tension between parties has reached a high point. Good luck!

Source: Adapted from Sophia tutorial by Marlene Johnson.

Terms to Know
Tension Stage of Conflict

The stage of conflict in which parties find communication with each other difficult or impossible, consistently attribute negative motives and traits to each other, and may attempt to enlist allies.