Realistic conflicts focus on substantive issues of disagreement. The goal is to resolve the disagreement. Participants generally draw upon a wide array of techniques to address such conflicts. This flexibility in approaching conflict is a characteristic of productive conflicts. In contrast, the goal of nonrealistic conflicts is the defeat or destruction of the opponent.
Participants usually employ force, aggression and coercion.
Their approach is inflexible, and this inflexibility often leads to escalation of the conflict. Inflexibility is a mark of destructive conflict. Productive conflicts seek a resolution which provides some satisfaction to all involved parties. They often have a win-win orientation. Generally parties are willing to work through their differences, until a mutually satisfactory solution is found.