Value Conflict

Learning Objectives

To understand what value conflict is
To consider the positive and negative impacts of value conflict
To know how to resolve value conflict

What are Values?

For the purpose of addressing value conflict, interpersonal values will be the focus. Interpersonal values can be defined as "preferences for achieving specific interpersonal outcomes and ways of dealing with social interactions" (Ponikiewska, et al., 2020).

What is Value Conflict?

Theorists define value conflict as conditions that are incompatible with group values. Mainly value conflict begins when individuals with different values meet and compete. This type of conflict has the potential to affect if work is completed and the trust established between peers (Nickerson, 2021).

"Some of our most heated negotiations and disputes involve value conflict over our core values, such as our personal moral standards, our religious and political beliefs, and our family’s welfare."

(P. Staff, 2022)

The Positive Impact of Value Conflict

A positive impact can be achieved through value conflict as well. When there is an internal conflict between parties, it is difficult to focus and produce work, but when we resolve these issues as a team, it can lead to greater efficiency and goal achievements (Imm, 2022). This is only possible if members of the team come together to discuss the differences and resolve them to become a team once again.

Resolving Value Conflict

Harvard Law School's blog offers three suggestions towards resolving value conflict

Reevaluate how sacred your belief is

Many people may be willing to negotiate a value they once saw as "sacred" depending on the circumstances. If not, they may have to think outside the box to reach specific goals.

Suggest a sacrifice of one's own belief

A symbolic gesture of sacrificing one's own belief may help persuade your counterpart to do the same.

Affirm the positive qualities of the opposing side

The consideration of your counterparts qualities that you respect and appreciate will help to build mutual values between parties.

(P. Staff, 2022).

Discussion Prompts

What strategy would you implement to navigate a situation in which your team members valued their social life over the project you were supposed to work on together?
What strategy above (or strategy of your own) would you implement if your group wanted to act unethically, for example cheat on an exam?
Think of your own core values. Do you have values that you would not compromise on? How would you navigate being asked to compromise them within a group?

Funny Game for Practicing Resolution: AITA (Am I the a**hole)

This game originates on Reddit where people post scenarios and ask "AITA?" (Am I the a**hole). You can respond with "Yes, you are", "No, you're not," or "Everyone stinks here." You can create this game by developing a fake story and roleplaying it together and having a discussion afterwards. You can also act out real AITA scenarios. This should be done with caution and careful consideration of the stories appropriateness (H. Staff, 2022). This game will help people evaluate their own values outside of a context that is personal to them.

Sources

Imm, Jacob. “Why Is Conflict Resolution Important?” Why Is Conflict Resolution Important? North Central College, North Central College, 13 Sept. 2022, https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/news/2022/09/13/why-conflict-resolution-important.

Nickerson, Charlotte. “Conflict Theory.” Conflict Theory | Sociology | A Guide With Examples - Simply Psychology, 21 July 2021, https://www.simplypsychology.org/conflict-theory.html.

Ponikiewska, K., Cieciuch, J., & Strus, W. (2020). In search of convergence between the main dimensions of interpersonal and basic human values in the context of personality traits. Personality & Individual Differences, 162, N.PAG. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110003

Staff, H. R. D. Q. (2022, September 22). 7 of our favorite Conflict Resolution Games and Activities. HRDQ. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://hrdqstore.com/blogs/hrdq-blog/conflict-resolution-games-activities

Staff, PON. (2022, October 17). Value conflict: What it is and how to resolve it. PON. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://www.pon.harvard.edu/daily/conflict-resolution/resolving-conflicts-deeply-held-values-nb/

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