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Conflict Resolution and Peacemaking

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Conflict Resolution and Peacemaking Paper
Sabrina Trevi
PSY/400
May 30, 2016
Leah Reagan

Conflict Resolution and Peacemaking Paper Conflict is not always a bad thing. Conflict signifies caring and involvement about a certain topic or situation. Conflict also is a catalyst to solving problems and improving relationships. Conflict can be a sign that change is needed. The key to successful conflict resolution is finding a mutually acceptable resolution to the conflict. A peacemaking mentality helps evoke conflict resolution. Conflict resolution among children and in schools is essential for building compassionate communities. Through the elements of conflict and resolution and peacemaking, one is able to solve problems and improve human relations. Without conflict, people seldom face and resolve his or her problems.
Peacemaking Defined Peace is more than the suppression of open conflict; peace is the outcome of a creatively managed conflict (Myers, 2010). Peacemaking creates relational and structural justice that allows for social and personal wellbeing (Noll, n.d.). Peace can be defined in two different ways: negative and positive. Negative peace is demonstrated when peace is achieved through coercion rather than cooperation and understanding. Conflict is not resolved, but just repressed. An example of negative peace is seen in law enforcement. Criminals are removed from society by peace officers. As a result, crime rates go down. However, coercive and sometimes violent actions are used to achieve negative peace. With negative peace, the underlying causes of the conflict are left unresolved (Noll, n.d.). With positive peace, conflict is transformed through reconciliation and restoration. Positive peace allows for conflict resolution that address the main reasons behind the conflict. It allows individuals to grow morally and understand one another better. Peacemaking looks at conflict not just as winning and losing, but as an opportunity for individuals to grow, accept responsibility, and learn forgiveness.
Article on Conflict Resolution In the article Conflict Resolution at School: Building Compassionate Communities by Candice C Carter, conflict resolution is discussed in terms of its personal and social productivity in the school setting. This article focuses on the thought that learning to accept and understand differences is the foundation that peace educators need to foster for building stronger communities (Carter, 2002). Cultural differences can play a role in the process and outcome of conflict resolution. Additionally, avoidance of conflict can fail to create sustainable peace (Carter, 2002). According to Carter (2002), learning how to obtain productive resolutions to conflicts is an important peacemaking skill that will be tested continuously through life.
The Four C’s of Peacemaking The four elements of peacemaking are contact, cooperation, communication, and conciliation. Attitudes follow behavior (Myers, 2010). Attitudes have a direct correlation on contact between people and determine if the situation is going to be volatile or peaceful. Moreover, recent studies have shown that contact fosters positivity. Cooperation is an element of peacemaking because shared threats and common goals breed unity. When individuals have to work together for a common cause, their attitudes become focused on the cause and not one another. Superordinate goals unite all in a group and require a cooperative effort. Another element of peacemaking is communication. Parties that are in conflict must communicate in order to come to a resolution. There are a few ways communication can be conducted. Bargaining, mediation, and arbitration are ways for communication to take place between conflicting groups or individuals. The fourth element of peacemaking is conciliation. Conciliation aids in overcoming conflict and distrust and begins the resolution process. In some instances, tensions are so high that communication becomes impossible. When this happens, GRIT is a way to help promote resolve. GRIT stands for “graduated and reciprocated initiatives in tension reduction.” GRIT was advocated by social psychologist Charles Osgood. GRIT works by one side taking action to de-escalate a situation after stating that their intent to do so.
Conclusion
Conflict is a part of the human experience and is prevalent among families, groups, and nations. However, conflict does serve a purpose. It helps to people to grow and indicates where change is needed. Negative peacemaking stops conflict, but does not address the reasons and causes behind it. Positive peacemaking seeks to find resolve through understanding the causes of the conflict. The four elements of peacemaking help establish a process to conflict resolution. By studying conflict resolution and peacemaking, social psychology strives to understand human nature and the way we interact with one another.

References
Carter, C. C. (2002). Conflict Resolution at School: Building Compassionate Communities. Social Alternatives, 21(1), 49.
Myers, D.G. (2010). Social Psychology. (10th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
Noll, D. (n.d.). Mediate.com. Retrieved from http://www.mediate.com/articles/noll4.cfm

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