A discussion of conflict in academic departments describes current philosophies in conflict resolution, including a principled approach emphasizing positive benefits. Structures within organizations that inherently create conflict are identified, and various strategies for dealing with conflict are outlined based on one theory of response modes.…

Sees conflict between students and between students and staff as imposing problem facing urban education. Considers causes of conflicts and describes conflict resolution pilot program implemented in inner-city middle school. Describes relapse among program participants and concludes that interventions must be long term and consistently available.…

Develops an instrument to study organizational conflict management as a disputing process involving the social escalation from grievance to conflict and dispute stages. Finds differences in dispute process according to different strengths of informal relations. (SR)

When dealing with a real dispute based on conflicting goals rather than a misunderstanding, it is better to avoid multiple rounds of "clarifying communication." A better approach is to solicit the opposite party's concerns and critiques, thereby eliciting a sequence of constructive responses until agreement has been reached. Examples are provided.…

Often blindsided by parental anger, principals have little time to prepare for the ensuing conflict. When confronting an angry parent, principals are advised to demonstrate confidence, establish ground rules providing a nonthreatening environment conducive to discussion, keep focused, ask questions, and create pauses in the discussion for…

To make conflict resolution easier, this article advises board members to determine nature of the conflict and choose an appropriate course of action. Situation might call for quick, decisive action; establishing a discussion date; reaching a temporary consensus; or working with involved parties to reach a positive resolution. Sidebar offers tips…

Disputes Jacobson's characterizations (1991) of behavioral marital therapy (BMT) and insight-oriented marital therapy (IOMT) delivered in Snyder, Wills, and Grady-Fletcher's (1991) comparative treatment study. Presents data showing that treatments were as effective or more so than previously published marital therapy outcome studies. Suggests that…

The Interprofessional Commission of Ohio is a partnership of eight state professional associations, six professional schools and colleges at Ohio State University, and three theological schools. Focus is on ethical issues common to the helping professions, changing societal values and the professions, and training in intercollaborative skills. The…

Offers five approaches parents can use for conflict resolution with their children: directing, collaborating, compromising, accommodating, and avoiding. The conflict management styles inventory is included to help parents identify how they most often respond to conflicts with their children. (SM)

Provides an initial statement of generic principles deemed effective for addressing protracted social conflicts between identity groups. These principles are compatible with certain values for societal organization and approaches to social change, raising questions of value differences between intervenors and the host culture(s). Three case…

Educators faced with controversial issues must learn to work constructively with pressure groups and concerned citizens. They must ask questions concerning their own political leanings, response to conflict, understanding of institutional core values, commitment to democratic decision making, and attention to policies and procedures.…

Describes Public Issues Education, a term used in the Cooperative Education Service for a range of multiparty approaches for addressing public issues, from formal conflict resolution procedures to coalition-building and collaborative problem solving. (JOW)

Describes the application of conflict-resolution strategies to managed-care disputes. The premises and processes for conflict resolution through negotiation are presented, the application of these principles to common disagreements between providers and payers is demonstrated. Strategies for overcoming difficulties resulting from differential…

Focuses on language as a contributing factor in conflicts between as well as within nations. Specific sections address these issues: language and warfare in pre-nationalist Europe; the role of language in building the nation states of Europe; language and the contractual nation; language and the descent nation; the citizen's army and total war;…

Examines family and life satisfaction of 212 noncustodial fathers three years following divorce. Results indicate that significant predictors of family and life satisfaction are perceived economic well-being, cooperative communication during conflict and during coparenting, low importance of resource deprivation, and low frequency of conflict.…