Not Walls, ed. The authors observe that conflicts may be either destructive or productive. They describe the nature of conflict generally, and then examine those features which make conflicts productive or destructive.
All conflict is marked by some degree of tension, uncertainty, and unpleasantness.
The conflict situation is usually fragile, in that seemingly trivial occurrences may have profound effects on the direction of the conflict. Additionally, conflicts which end badly tend to be more memorable than those which end well. Because of these elements, people tend to have a negative view of conflict, and seek to suppress or avoid it. Theorists stress the productive potential of conflict, in order to counter this tendency. This definition stresses the interactive nature of conflict.