The need for power, national security or national sovereignty often lies at the root of international conflict. The need for friendship or self-esteem may lie at the root of children s conflicts or conflict in the classroom. These are cultural standards by which individual and group behavior and thinking are judged as correct and appropriate. Values are at the heart of our deeply held beliefs and the goals that we pursue. Very often conflicts over the best way of teaching, raising children, or governing a country are, in fact, value conflicts.
Conflict can arise over values in the classroom, too.
For example, a group of ESL students from Japan may value solidarity over self-expression. In this case, the teacher trying to arrange a class debate may encounter resistance. A problem solving approach sees the conflict as a problem and seeks to find a solution. A compromising approach seeks to have each one give a little. A smoothing approach seeks to keep things calm and smooth, directing attention to other things.