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Defining Social Conflicts and Complexity of Social Conflics
Defining Social Conflicts and Complexity of Social Conflics
Introduction
Social conflicts present an important aspect in sociology, which formulates solutions to various challenges that characterize the human society. To this end, sociology studies have been conducted to provide prescriptions of dealing with social conflicts. In this article, various perspectives of the social conflict topic are discussed as contained in a book chapter and a journal article. Definition of social conflicts and their complexity are approached from different perspectives by different authors and the discussion is concluded with a view of the relevant questions that tie the two together. Since the conflict topic is a huge area that attracts interventions that range from diagnosis of intrapersonal and interpersonal conflicts to resolution, a specific and limited area of interest must be picked at a time for significant contribution to be made.
Kriesberg, Louis., Constructive conflicts: from escalation to resolution. Lanham, MA: Rowman & Littlefied Publishing Group, Inc., 2007. Print
Definition of Social Conflicts
The author of this book dedicates a subtopic on conflicts to the perspective of defining social conflicts, which is an important step in construction of appropriate sociological intervention. As mentioned above, the diagnosis of a conflict must be involved in the design of respective intervention (2). The author clearly diagnoses the existence of a conflict by manifestation of incompatible beliefs between the conflicting individuals. Further clarification of the social conflict involves social environment, number of individuals and the manifestation of the dispute, where the author describes the tensions likely to emerge in the dispute. Perhaps an important element of a conflict definition that the author introduces in the chapter is belief by each party to the conflict that they are facing opposition from the other party. Accordingly, the issue of competition among the individuals or groups of persons involved in the conflict emerges since each side wants to overcome the other’s opposing belief (3).
In this definition, the author clarifies that the involved parties must perceive the dispute as a conflict which finally forces them to create the division in thought and belief. Without the aspect of awareness of opposing perceptions resulting into some form of competition, the author reckons that it is difficult to amount to a social conflict as defined in the text. As an illustration, the author gives an account of people competing for employment, yet due to the lack of focus on each other’s intentions, it cannot be quantified as a social conflict. In order for such a scenario to be raised to a social conflict, the author gives a perspective of divisive thoughts in among the competitors such as discrimination on ethnicity and gender.
An equally important aspect of the definition of social conflict is added in the form of continuity in the conflict. Since the social setting implies continued interactions between the individuals, the author argues that the aspect of disruption of the society by the division brought by the conflict must be felt (3). In order to translate this definition to the wider society challenges of unity, it is important that the definition of the conflict is done before designing conflict resolution that aims at destroying the conflict’s building blocks observed in the definition.
Braun, Andreas., Heinke, Eva-Maria., Neumann, Martin., Saqalli, Mehdi. & Srbljinovic, Armano. “Challenges in Modeling Social Conflicts: Grappling with Polysemy,” Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, 14.3(2011): 9 ( HYPERLINK “http://jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/14/3/9.html” http://jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/14/3/9.html)
Complexity of Social Conflicts
In this journal article that highlights the complexity of defining social conflicts, the authors concur with earlier observations that dealing with conflicts must be informed from the appropriate diagnosis and identification of the challenge. In light of the nature of social challenges facing the society, sociologists must define the conflict within certain standards of conflicts referred to as simulations. Modeling of social conflicts assists sociologists to design interventions and prescribe solutions to resolve the division in the society (para. 1). The authors explain that the simulations classify conflicts on the nature of the complexity, which makes it easy to pick recommended solutions to deal with the problems. As observed in Kriesberg (2), these authors make the observation that definition of the conflict becomes the foundation of the recommended approach to handle the damaging effects of the conflict in the social setting. As a contribution to the definition of the social problem, the authors provide a list of 16 criteria that have been used by social academicians to classify conflicts (para. 9). The classification adds on the perspectives discussed by Kriesberg (2) for the definition of the social conflict.
On the wider concept of violent confrontations witnessed in extreme competition in social conflicts, the authors outline some common features that assist in definition of the conflict. Firstly, some connectivity is witnessed among the conflicting parties, which underpins the social setting of the society that lives together to learn the differences in beliefs. Secondly, the competition resists changes likely to advance the status of the other party usually resulting in a brutal feeling. Thirdly, conflicts are differentiated from ordinary tension due to the level of commitment to sustain the division, which is usually very high in a conflict than an ordinary tension.
Finally, the authors identify the openness of challenging the difference to be present in a social conflict, which makes private and personal conflicts less likely to amount into a social conflict (para. 13). The authors (para. 14) introduce the aspect of rational analysis which explains the motivation of the parties to a conflict to continue holding hard lines in the conflict. There are different reasons why persons end up in a social conflict, which must be defined as clearly as possible to come up with a solution. Complex nature of social conflicts implies that the sociologists must not confine their contribution to one approach when designing solutions (para. 26).
Kriesberg, Louis., Constructive conflicts: from escalation to resolution. Lanham, MA: Rowman & Littlefied Publishing Group, Inc., 2007. Print
Questions on Social Conflicts
Regarding the complexity of the definition of social conflict and the design of solutions to the standoffs, the author provides similar contribution as observed in Braun et al (9). Similarity arises from the fact that the author dedicates an insightful subtopic in chapter 1 by the title “Questions About Social Conflicts” (4). In the text, it is clear that the factors of violent conflicts can be traced back from the interests of the conflicting parties as contained in Braun et al (para. 13). Since the range of social conflicts is very wide in a diverse society, it is important to interrogate various social elements that could be failing in making the society live without extreme conflicts. Among the most questionable areas of the social setting include the integrity of the social policy in use.
Kriesberg outlines the payoff matrix that complicates options of individuals when they consider their own interests rather than their common good in the puzzle (8). The author argues that the complexity of conflicts is defined by the cooperation willingness with which individuals party to a conflict are likely to approach a conflict. International conflicts are also discussed to highlight the need for social conflict resolution mechanisms to be based on a cost-benefit analysis for the overall benefit of the society. In this consideration, the author makes a contribution that concludes that the best approach to solve a conflict is to adopt a wide approach that utilizes more options for a more accurate decision (10).
Works Cited
Braun, Andreas., Heinke, Eva-Maria., Neumann, Martin., Saqalli, Mehdi. & Srbljinovic, Armano. “Challenges in Modeling Social Conflicts: Grappling with Polysemy,” Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, 14.3(2011): 9
Kriesberg, Louis., Constructive conflicts: from escalation to resolution. Lanham, MA: Rowman & Littlefied Publishing Group, Inc., 2007. Print
Defining Conflict and Identifying Personal Mediation Skills
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Defining Conflict and Identifying Personal Mediation Skills
From a sociological point of view, conflicts are a common occurrence in human relationships because of the fact that humans hold varied views and perceptions towards common things and issues. In a work environment, human conflicts are common and have diverse impacts on the performance of the affected employees. Basically, a conflict refers to a state of opposition that occurs when individuals carry out activities that are not mutually consistent. Usually, it is characterized by a form of disagreement in which the parties involved consider the opposing views to be a threat to their concerns, interests or needs. The respective individuals may want to do a similar thing using different ways or may want to pursue different things that are incompatible.
The conflict situation is usually resolved when inherent differences are reconciled and made consistent to each other. Within a social context, the causes of conflicts are wide and varied. In addition, their magnitude is different and the implications that they have on the holistic wellbeing of the individuals in work environments are diverse. Generally, it is widely agreed that conflicts can be potentially harmful if they are allowed to persist. For this reason, various approaches are employed in addressing the conflicts.
In his review, Moore (2003) indicates that the manner in which a conflict is approached directly influences the nature of its management. For this reason, it is important for relevant parties to review the conflict scenario and adopt approaches that would enhance resolution as opposed to escalation. To begin with, the collaboration approach reviews the perceptions of warring parties while asserting authoritative views at the same time. In particular, collaboration reviews the main differences between the involved parties, identifies the major issues and seeks to find a solution through mutual agreement. This is sustainable because the conflicting parties contribute equally to the ultimate solution.
A conflict can also be approached through compromising. In this regard, the warring parties are made to forego certain needs in order to resolve the problem. The accommodating approach on the other hand involves one party accepting the perception of the other party in a bid to reinstate a stable relationship. In certain instances, Boulle, Colatrella and Picchioni (2008) indicate that a conflict can call for avoidance. In this respect, one or both parties delay their response to the conflict or simply withdraw from it. This usually works well in cases where individuals or organizations are very angry and wish to withdraw in a bid to cool off in order to be able to approach the conflict in a more rational manner. Notably, all these approaches are vital in different contexts and are useful for managing a variety of conflicts.
Perhaps the most sustainable and useful approach to conflict resolution pertains to mediation. Cahn and Abigail (2007) contend that the process of mediation is very complex and technical and as such, it requires certain specialized skills. An analysis of my personal competencies of negotiation shows that I have certain mediation skills that have enabled me to resolve a couple of conflicts in an organizational environment. Statistical evidence ascertains that organizations are liable to conflicting scenarios because of the different nature of their human resources. One of the most important mediation skills that I consider myself to be proficient in is active listening. In this regard, I have the ability to give my full attention to whatever the warring parties say. I take sufficient time to understand the various points and assertions made by the respective persons and make inferences accordingly. Whenever I do not understand any point being made by an individual, I ask appropriate questions and request for clarification accordingly. Most importantly, I refrain from frequent interruptions in order to give the warring parties a chance to express their claims with ease.
Then, I have superb skills pertaining to reframing and summarizing whatever the warring parties have said. Through summary, I am always able to clarify understanding of main concerns, strictly focus on key issues, allow the warring parties to change whatever they previously said and correct disordered statements and assertions. In most cases, I seldom stop summarizing until the respective party agrees with whatever I have noted down. According to Boulle et al (2008), this implies that the party in question agrees to what it has said. Most importantly, it gives the party a chance to undertake reflection and enables me to adjust or clarify interpretations. On the other hand, reframing of statements gives me an opportunity to adjust, reorder or change statements or words in order to clarify their meanings and understand the underlying intentions of the parties.
Also, I have critical thinking skills that are useful for effective interpretation of meanings. McCorkle and Reese (2004) argue that use of reasoning and logic is of paramount importance in any mediation process. This ability has been particularly important in enabling me to evaluate the credibility of alternative conclusions, strategies or solutions that can enhance problem resolution. In addition, it has been useful for enabling me to analyze and interpret the views and perceptions of the warring parties objectively. In this regard, Wilmot and Hocker (2007) assert that objectivity is very important as it eliminates incidences of favoritism that undermine the credibility of the decisions arrived at.
Nonetheless, there are certain negotiation skills that I am not proficient in and which I require further development. At this point, it is worth acknowledging that attainment of negotiation skills is progressive. Individuals wishing to perfect their negotiation skills require a significant period of time as well as sufficient experience. In essence, negotiation is a learning process that requires patience and consistency. One of the fundamental skills that I consider myself to be lacking pertains to memorization. In particular, I am incompetent in remembering information, pictures, words and procedures with utmost clarity. This in some cases makes it difficult to complete the process of mediation within the stipulated time and attain the desirable quality of results.
Then, I also lack sufficient inductive reasoning skills that are imperative for making inferences accordingly. Basically, inductive reasoning empowers a mediator to establish general rules and be able to reach at viable conclusions. Bush and Folger (2004) indicate that mediators with this ability are creative and can establish relationships between events or statements that are unrelated. This ability is also useful in identifying flaws in statements and determining the credibility of assertions that conflicting parties make. This hastens the mediation process as factual information can be easily be filtered from a pool of false or flawed statements. In addition, inductive reasoning enables a mediator to make timely and effective decisions regarding the process. Developing the preceding skills is essential and it would enable me to attain the highest level of competency in mediation.
References
Boulle, L., Colatrella, M. & Picchioni, A. (2008). Mediation: Skills and techniques. New York: LexisNexis
Bush, R. & Folger, J. (2004). The promise of mediation: The transformative approach to conflict. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Cahn, D., & Abigail, R. (2007). Managing conflict through communication. (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
McCorkle, S. & Reese, M. (2004). Mediation theory and practice. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon
Moore, C. (2003). The mediation process: Practical strategies for resolving conflict. (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Wilmot, W., & Hocker, J. (2007). Interpersonal conflict. (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Define vulnerability with regard to health. Why are certain groups considered more vulnerable than others (5 points)
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Answer the following questions.
Define vulnerability with regard to health. Why are certain groups considered more vulnerable than others? (5 points)
In the health sector, vulnerability refers to the relevantly higher susceptibility to diseases and illnesses as a result of the lack of or poor integration into the nation’s system of healthcare due to factors like ethnicity, culture, economy, or health bias. The seclusion increases the level of risk to this group of people since they lack access to medical care. The most common groups to be referred to as vulnerable are the racial and ethnic minority, both the rural and urban poor, immigrants that lack proper documentation and disabled people. When we look at the racial and ethnic group, the vulnerability comes along in the sense that the patterns of residential segregation cut them off from the supply of providers, they are faced by a language barrier that hinders communication between them and the doctors and also because they have different employment patterns resulting to low levels of employer-based insurance coverage. The poor fall under this category since they lack the monetary resources required to get access to health care. If they get medical attention, they cannot afford the drugs required for consequent treatment. Immigrants that lack proper documentation are restricted from health care since they are scared of being brought to authorities and they do not want to risk deportation back to their countries. The disabled face the challenge of having small employers dismissing them on the grounds that they have a high chance of having expensive medical needs; something they cannot afford.
Identify the 4 major racial/ethnic minority categories in the United States (1 pt. each, 4 total)
Hispanic and Latino Americans make up the largest minority
HYPERLINK “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American” o “African American” African Americans are the largest racial minority, amounting to nearly 13% of the population
Asian American or Alaska Native
Native Hawaiian (Other Pacific Islander)
What are the 4 major health concerns of children? (1 pt. each, 4 total)
Immunization
HYPERLINK “http://www.news-medical.net/health/Asthma.aspx” Asthma and allergies
Childhood injury
Child abuse, neglect and domestic violence
Identify the 6 major government funded measures for Rural Health and briefly define each. (2 points each, 12 points total)
Improved Management of Health Programs in Rural Areas
This involves the consolidation, by local bodies in conjunction with the government, of existing funding for specified rural health service delivery programs in agreed rural and remote communities. The local bodies will have the ability to purchase the most relevant health services to the local community.
Health Service Delivery in Rural Areas
These will involve the re-engineering of the administrative arrangements currently under use for rural health programs including the development of new agreements for funding that involve funds for multiple programs.
Reviewing the Royal Flying Doctor Service
A national review of the Royal Flying Doctor Service was conducted to examine the funding, operational activities and governance arrangements. Recommendations were made on how to improve the service and make it accessible to the people in rural areas.
Increasing the access rate to primary health care
The access to primary and allied health services will be maintained through the government facilities with particular focus on the remote and rural areas. National rural primary health projects will be initiated and the government will continue funding projects in rural areas.
The Rural Private Access (RPA) Program
This program was included in the budget and was meant to increase access to private health services in rural areas. It sought to the realize the diversity of the services and make private insurable health services available in rural areas.
Initiative to Support Calamity stricken people who suffered mentally
This program is aimed at providing funds to building of the capacity of rural areas to respond to calamities like drought and the psychological effects it comes with.
Briefly define a MUA. (4 pts.)
MUA is the acronym denoting Medically Underserved Areas which are areas or places that having declared to have very few primary care providers hence high rates of infant mortality. These areas are characterized by high poverty levels and are dominated by old people.
Briefly define a HPSA. (4 pts.)
HPSA is an acronym meaning Health Professional Shortage Areas. These are areas designated as having inadequate level of primary medical care, dental or mental health practitioners and are categorized into geographic areas like a county, a demographic area like a low income population or institutional area like a comprehensive health center
Who are the 2 groups most affected by AIDS? (2 pts.)
The gay people since they know they will get a HIV infection so they just want to get over with it; they will use medication to live longer. They also get tired of condom use since they believe they can tell an infected man from a “clean” one.
Bisexuals due to viral ‘bridging’ that occur when a bisexual man contracts HIV from another man and then transmits it to a female partner. They are also seen to have very low levels of condom use.
References
Institute of Medicine (U.S.). (2011). The health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people: Building a foundation for better understanding. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.
Ricketts, T. C. (2007). Rural health in the United States. New York: Oxford University Press.
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Points Possible: 35