Controversy is the type of conflict that exists when one group member's ideas, information, conclusions, theories, and opinions do not fit with those of another and the two seek to reach an agreement about their differences . Debate Debate exists when group members argue for positions that are incompatible with one another and a winner is declared by an independent judge on the basis of who presented the best position. Individualistic Decision Making Individualistic decision making occurs when a person has the power to make decisions by him or herself without consulting anyone else Student Information Sheet 3-3 Conflict Management Concepts Competition Competition is the desire to assert one's own needs and concerns at the expense of the other person. To achieve the desired outcome, the competitor uses whatever power is available and acceptable. Collaboration Collaboration involves the maximum use of both cooperation and assertion.
Cooperation prevents it from being a competitive struggle with winners and losers.
A collaboration is a dialectic between these seemingly contradictory approaches. Those using a collaborative style aim to satisfy the needs and concerns of both parties to the conflict. Avoidance Avoidance is characterized by both uncooperative and unassertive behaviour by both parties. Those employing this style simply do not face the conflict and do not care about each other's needs and concerns. They evade the issue, refuse to discuss the situation, or may not even stay for the final decision.