The issues and types of social structure are what make social conflict beneficial or not. If internal social conflicts, for example, goals, values, do not go against the basic assumptions of the relationship, then this is a positive function for the social structure. Readjustment of norms and power relations within groups is positively effected when done with the needs of each member. There is a safeguard against conflict that is found within the social structure itself and it is the institutionalization and tolerance of conflict. In every social structure there is a chance for conflict.
People are likely to compete for scarce resources, prestige and power positions.
However, some groups tolerate conflict better than others do. Those groups with high interaction and high personality involvement have a tendency to suppress conflict. They may have hate and love tendencies and they are intensified through the frequency of interaction but this close group tends to suppress hostility because it would be a danger to their relationships. If conflict breaks out in a group that continuously suppresses hostile feelings, it will be intense. The conflict does not merely aim at resolving the immediate issue which led to its outbreak but also because the total personality involvement of the group members creates an outlet for them to voice their beliefs in the spirit of their struggle.