Why Do Conflicts Become Intractable? The Dynamical Perspective on Malignant Social Relations

Abstract

AbstractConflict is generally a constructive process, but in a small proportion of cases it can degenerate into a self-sustaining pattern of negative interpersonal and intergroup relations that seem impervious to change. We conceptualize these seemingly intractable conflicts within a dynamical systems perspective. Intractable conflict develops when a social system loses its complexity and converges on a narrow range of mental and behavioral states—an attractor—and becomes resistant to external influence that might otherwise promote a different set of states. Beyond its manifest attractor, a system may have a latent attractor representing a different set of mental and behavioral states. A latent attractor creates the potential for a rapid, nonlinear change in the relations between individuals or groups—from destructive to benign or vice versa. Beyond providing insight into the nature of intractable conflict, the dynamical perspective offers 3 general strategies for the transformation of such conflict into positive relations.