These Humans MIGHT be Smarter Than We Think
Circumstantial Conflict – High Chance of Resolution
Purposeful Targeting – Little Chance of Resolution
One Leads To The Other – You Failed Somewhere
In one of the Chapters in “DISARM DAILY CONFLICT – Your Life Depends On It,” I discuss the three conflict segments.
The chapter discusses circumstantial conflicts, where individuals conflict with someone else due to unplanned circumstances. It presents various scenarios where conflicts can occur, such as someone feeling wronged, traffic incidents, misunderstandings at a bar, disputes over parking spots, confrontations, overlooks or actions, or arguments about sports teams. I highlight that these conflicts can happen anywhere, from work to public spaces or even during vacation, and can escalate unexpectedly.
Purposeful targeting in conflicts is generally more dangerous than circumstantial conflict. Purposeful targeting occurs when one party intentionally chooses someone as a victim for various reasons, such as sexual assault, physical assault, murder, or bullying. I emphasize that although bullying may seem different from the other types, it still involves an intended target and can lead to harm. The challenge in such conflicts is that the perpetrator has already planned their actions and may be several steps ahead of their intended victim. Verbal de-escalation may be difficult in these situations, as the aggressor has specifically chosen their victim and has multiple criteria for their selection. However, learning specific strategies can increase the chances of success in resolving conflicts, regardless of whether one has been targeted or if the conflict is circumstantial.
CIRCUMSTANTIAL LEADS TO TARGETED
Circumstantial conflict often has a good chance of being resolved through verbal communication. However, it is essential to note that targeted conflicts are more difficult, if not impossible, to de-escalate through words alone. This emphasizes the significance of developing practical conflict-resolution skills. Lacking these skills may transform a circumstantial conflict into a targeted one due to an inability to defuse the situation.
Chris Roberts, Founder SAFE International