Conflicts in psychology

Conflicts in Psychology

Conflict can be defined as a negative emotional state caused by having to choose between two or more incompatible goals or impulses. Conflict can be a major factor for the cause of stress. It depends on the complexity of the conflict itself to determine how much stress it has produced, but there is a lot more to it. There are three different types of conflicts that are all very different. These forms of conflict have very different results from one another. Some are sure to have positive results, while some are sure to have negative results and some can have both.

The first kind is approach-approach conflict. This means that an individual mush choose between two or more favorable alternatives, which will lead to positive results. One would think that this type of conflict would not cause anyone much stress at all, but just the obligation to choose between them creates the stress. For example: having to choose between two meals at a restaurant. One meal may taste great but interferes with the person's diet, and the other may taste alright and be very healthy for them. Either one would be to his or her benefit, but making the decision is what makes the individual stressed out. This conflict is definitely the easiest one to get over because as soon as the decision is made, the individual can enjoy the results and forget about the stress.

The second kind is avoidance-avoidance conflict. It involves choosing between two or more unpleasant alternatives that will lead to negative results. For example: if a person had to give up one of his or her children. No matter which one they pick, it is still not acceptable. Either choice will be a question of morals, but both would lead to undesirable results. This example would be the hardest to get over because the stress of losing a loved one would just add to the stress of having to make the decision, leaving the individual with a lot of intense stress. Making the decision causes stress, just like