Student Information Sheet 3-4 Methods of Conflict Resolution Conflict can be destructive or creative depending on the approach that is taken. If conflict is managed creatively, new solutions can be found that are satisfactory to all parties to the conflict. Whether this will happen or not depends upon the approaches people use when dealing with conflict. The win-lose approach is the one many people believe to be the best. Unfortunately it can be very destructive.
People learn the win-lose approach very early in life.
We learn to use competition, dominance, aggression and defense in all of our social relationships, from the family to the school playground, at work and in marriage. We have been taught that it is better to be a victor than a loser who withdraws in shame. But, we also know that the loser will be preparing very carefully for the next round. In the long run, everyone loses with this approach. In the lose-lose approach all the problems and disagreements are smoothed over and conflict is reduced by reaching the simplest of compromises.