All human behavior is seated in psychological variables, to be sure. But to hang a type of social behavior like conflict on the peg of misperception is to neglect the importance of interests, needs, morality, temperament ' and so on, as well as the self, will, and superordinate goal. Perception is an outcome of the confrontation of this field with reality's powers. If, in fact, misperception is operating, we should focus not on misperception itself but on the operation of the whole field in relation to the specific external forces confronting it. This is done through explicating the process of the conflict helix.
Perception plays a role during all phases.
This balancing is the cauldron within which misperceptions become corrected. It is the test of their reality. Through mutual adjustment, an equilibrium is struck between mutual perceptions of capabilities, wills, and opposing interests, and cooperative behavior ensues. But adjustments change and perceptions alter. They may cease to correspond to the reality of the balance.