Conflict

Certain people handle conflict in different ways, whether that is breaking down and crying or becoming more aggressive and angry. Since conflict is natural and apt to happen, it is important for people to understand how to handle conflict and how to understand the nature of conflict.

Instead of analyzing all the sources of conflict and how people argue, I am going to focus mainly on how to manage interpersonal conflict. 

Certain ways one can identify if someone is feeling conflict but not expressing it is through criticism. Criticism does not always have to be bad, but when taken too seriously it can personally attack someone's personality.

Another warning sign that someone is looking for conflict is showing contempt towards someone.  Contempt is the expression of insults and attacks on someone such as calling names or demeaning someone for something they did wrong repeatedly.

Defensiveness also is a great sign of distress.  Defensiveness occurs when someone feels like they are the victim and are being cornered for doing something wrong.  Instead of listening to what the other person has to say, someone who is being defensive will come up with excuses instead of actually listening things out.

Stonewalling is the last problematic behavior during conflict when one of the parties shuts down and becomes introverted, not listening or speaking to the other person.

Knowing and recognizing these few steps in understanding someone is in distress can help realize their is conflict and fixing the conflict.

-Raboin