accord

Agreement, mutual understanding. Common phrase: To be in accord. While we do not always agree on political issues, most of the time our views are in accord.  

alternative solutions

More than one possible way to solve a conflict. In Conflict Resolution, the alternative solutions should point to meeting the needs of both participants and to establishing a long-term solution to the problem.

analysis of a conflict situation

The first step in the conflict resolution process in which all participants cooperate to define the conflict objectively.

argument

A discussion in which both participants have strong opposing views. A verbal disagreement. The argument between the parents and the school board was about continuing a popular but expensive after-school program for children.

assassinate:

To kill someone viciously as part of a plan, often for political or racial reasons.       

behaviors

Behaviors are the way we act based on our learned beliefs and values.     

beliefs

Beliefs are our conviction in the truth of something that we learned by living in our culture; they are the core of our actions and tell us how to behave in the world. Our beliefs are the basis for our values.     

compromise

A situation in which both participants to a conflict agree to give up something in order to resolve the conflict. A compromise is often an intermediate stage in moving toward long-term resolution of a conflict.

conflict

1 : fight, battle, war <an armed conflict>

2 a : competitive or opposing action of incompatibles : antagonistic state or action (as of divergent ideas, interests, or persons) b : mental struggle resulting from incompatible or opposing needs, drives, wishes, or external or internal demands

3 : the opposition of persons or forces that gives rise to the dramatic action in a drama or fiction

conflict resolution

The process of creatively responding to a conflict in order to find ways to solve the problem.

cooling off period

A time for exposed emotion concerning the conflict to be dissipated. When a conflict becomes volatile there needs to be a cooling off period before resolution can begin.  

cooperation

Working together with others to accomplish a common goal. With the cooperation of all the employees, the project was completed on time.

cultural diversity

Cultural diversity refers to the differences in cultural features (e.g., dress, food, and art forms; religious beliefs; and attitudes towards work, leisure time, marriage, birth, and death) between cultural groups.   

culture

A culture is a group of people who share a background because of their common language, knowledge, beliefs, views, values, and behaviors. Culture often results in hidden patterns of communication, viewpoints, and expressions that people in that specific culture share. These hidden patterns have an effect on the way people behave, perceive the world, and interact with others.

cultural pattern

A cultural pattern is the collective term to describe a cluster of interrelated cultural orientations. Cultural patterns are made up of interrelated cultural behaviors which are influenced by values that are shared by a cultural group.     

de-escalation of conflict

De-escalation of conflict involves a reduction of strong emotion and working to give an objective description of the problem. De-escalation of a conflict leads to possible resolution of the conflict.

disagreement

An opposition of views. The father and daughter were in disagreement about the time she had to be home after the party.

diversity

Diversity is the state of being different or of unlikeness (dictionary definition). In the context of society, diversity is when various different factors interact to define the society of a particular culture. For example, religions, music, art, dance, foods, educational levels, and economic wealth may be similar for the majority of the people in a homogeneous culture. In a heterogeneous culture, compiled of many ethnic groups, there will be a diversity of cultural features.     

dogmatism

The characteristic of an individual to believe that his/her opinion is correct and to hold to this belief without substantiation; A dogmatic person who presents opinions as truths.

dominant culture

A dominant culture or cultural pattern is the one that represents the majority or the largest number of people.    

empathic communication skills

The ability to express a shared understanding with another person which connotes a mutual respect for the person’s beliefs and values - Types of communicative empathetic responses to another person’s feelings or expressed emotions are accepting, validating, extending, and prescribing.   

empathy

The understanding of and intellectual identification with the attitudes, feelings, or thoughts of others. When I lost my checkbook during my vacation, the hotel clerk showed great empathy in helping me get other funds; the same thing had happened to him on his vacation, so he understood my situation.

empathy inhibitors

Preconceived ideas, stereotyped notions, and personal biases and prejudices are factors that make it difficult to achieve a shared understanding of another person’s feelings or emotions. For example, if you hold the stereotype of a particular ethnic group as "lazy", it will be difficult to empathize with a group of homeless people from that ethnic group.    

escalation of conflict

A conflict situation gets worse and might lead to violence.       

fanatic

A person who has unreasonably strong beliefs in or enthusiasm for something. A fanatic often does things that are excessive and may be contrary to the mores and laws of society.       

fast

A fast is a self-imposed period of not eating. People fast for medical or religious reasons, or to show strong support for an issue or a principle.     

frustration

A feeling of anger or disappointment at not being able to achieve a goal or obtain something that you want. After waiting five minutes for the light to change at the intersection, the drivers began honking their horns in frustration.

harmony

To have agreement or accord in a relationship; to work together in friendship and cooperation. The class worked together in harmony to produce a beautiful collage. Commonly used phrase: Harmonious relations. The committee worked together smoothly and effectively because of their harmonious relations; everyone made an effort to cooperate and agree.

homogeneous society

A homogeneous society is one in which the majority of the members share the same cultural beliefs, attitudes, and values, and there is little difference in the economic wealth or social distance of the members of the society.

heterogeneous society

A heterogeneous society is one in which members of the society come from diverse cultural groups. Usually there are differences of economic wealth, educational levels, and social status between the groups who live in the society.     

hostility

A feeling or attitude of intense opposition to a person, group, or an action. After the strike, the hostility the workers felt toward management made the work place tense and unfriendly.

incompatible

Not able to exist together or to come to agreement about something. The two boys could not continue to be roommates because their sleep schedules were incompatible; John went to bed at 10 p.m. and got up early, while Sam went to bed at 2 a.m. and wanted to sleep until noon. Common phrase: Incompatible differences. The strike was called because of incompatible differences regarding salaries between the workers and the company.

ideation of a conflict situation

The second step in the conflict resolution process, in which everyone thinks creatively to develop alternative solutions to the conflict.       

insensitive

Responding to another person by disregards that person’s feelings or needs

intolerance

Intolerance is the lack of tolerance, or acceptance, of differences in others. Intolerance to differences can lead to disagreements and conflicts between people, groups, and nations.   

knowledge

Knowledge is the facts, skills, and understanding that people of a shared culture have gained through learning and experience.    

mediator

A person who helps with the de-escalation and resolution of a conflict.       

multicultural societies

Multicultural societies are those in which many cultural groups live together within the same nation.  

objective

To be objective about a problem is to be accurate in the description of the problem and fair and unbiased in stating the participants’ needs.

objectivity

A way of looking at a situation or understanding an issue which emphasizes the actual behaviors, actions, and events: when one is objective about something, little personal bias or prejudice influences the observation.

nonviolent resistance

To protest or go against some issue without using violence. An example of nonviolent resistance is a "march", in which people walk together for a long distance to support a cause but do not physically abuse anyone or take any action for the cause.       

perception

A perception of a conflict reflects one person’s understanding of the situation. Participants’ perceptions of a conflict situation may be strongly influenced by their emotional involvement as well as attachment to their own needs, desires, wants, and goals. A goal of Conflict Resolution is to help the participants to objectively and accurately describe the conflict situation in terms of both participants’ needs.    

racial discrimination

The practice of denying equal rights to people because of their race.       

racial separation:

The practice of physically separating people of different races in regard to carrying out activities in their daily lives, like housing, schooling, shopping, transportation, etc.)  

respect  

To show regard and consideration for something or someone. The new boss is firm but fair, and he has earned the respect of all of his employees. Common phrase: Respect for differences. The cafeteria serves many ethnic foods in respect for the differences in eating preferences of our international students.  

security  

Freedom from danger or risk; safety. One of the reasons for living in a small town is the security that small-town living provides; crime rates, for example, are much lower in a small town that in a large city.  

stereotype

A stereotype is the belief or opinion held by one group that the majority of a different group can be classified by the actions, appearance, or attitudes of a few members of that group.

subjective

Our understanding of an issue or situation is subjective when our personal biases and past experiences influence our understanding.  

sympathy

The emotional response of agreement of feelings between people; the response of sharing feelings with another, especially in times of sorrow or trouble.

threat

A perceived danger or risk to your security or well being. The arrival of soldiers and tanks at the rally signaled the threat of violence to the protesters.

tolerance

A fair and objective attitude toward those whose ideas, opinions, race, religion, or nationality may differ from your own. The absence of bigotry. When the immigrants moved into the town, the community accepted them with goodwill and tolerance. Common phrase: Religious or racial tolerance. Racial tolerance among nations is a prerequisite for peace.  

understanding

1. The mental process of comprehension. He understands the theory of fluctuating prices, so his business includes flexible pricing. 2. The demonstration of empathy, compassion, sensitivity regarding the actions or feelings of others. When I missed the exam because I was ill, my teacher let me take it later; I really appreciated her kindness and understanding.

values

Values are a set of beliefs based upon a code of ethics in a society. They tell us what is right and wrong, good and bad; they tell us how to live our lives.

value dimension

A value dimension is a set of interrelated values that exist along a continuum of relative importance. We use this term to describe the values that influence cultural behaviors in all cultures.     

views

Views are the perceptions, judgments, or opinions on certain issues that individuals learn from their cultures.

win-win resolution

A solution to a conflict that allows all participants to be satisfied that their needs have been met.