Conflicts can vary in intensity, scope, and impact, and they can be classified into different types based on these factors. Here are four common types of conflicts, along with examples for each:

1. Intrapersonal Conflict: This type of conflict occurs within an individual and involves conflicting thoughts, beliefs, or emotions. It often arises when a person experiences internal dilemmas or struggles with decision-making.

   Example: An employee experiences intrapersonal conflict when deciding whether to confront their supervisor about unfair treatment. They may feel torn between speaking up for themselves and avoiding potential repercussions.

2. Interpersonal Conflict: Interpersonal conflicts occur between two or more individuals and typically involve disagreements, misunderstandings, or clashes of personalities. These conflicts can arise in various settings, including personal relationships, workplaces, or social environments.

   Example: Two coworkers argue over the division of tasks on a team project. One feels that the workload is unfairly distributed, while the other believes they are contributing equally. The conflict escalates as they struggle to find a resolution.

3. Intragroup Conflict: Intragroup conflicts occur within a group or team and involve disagreements or tensions among members. These conflicts may arise due to differences in goals, priorities, or approaches to tasks.

   Example: A student group working on a project for a class assignment experiences intragroup conflict when members disagree on the project's direction. Some members advocate for a creative approach, while others prefer a more traditional approach. The conflict hampers progress and collaboration within the group.

4. Intergroup Conflict: Intergroup conflicts occur between two or more groups or entities, such as departments within an organization, rival sports teams, or competing businesses. These conflicts often stem from competition for resources, power, or conflicting interests.

   Example: Two departments within a company, marketing, and sales, experience intergroup conflict due to disagreements over budget allocation. The marketing department believes they need more funds for advertising campaigns, while the sales department argues for increased resources to support sales initiatives. The conflict leads to tension and rivalry between the departments.

Each type  of conflict presents unique challenges and requires different approaches for resolution. Effective conflict management involves understanding the underlying causes of the conflict, facilitating communication and collaboration, and finding mutually acceptable solutions to address the issues at hand.

1. Problem to Solve: A problem to solve refers to a situation or issue that requires a resolution or solution. Problems can arise due to challenges, obstacles, or unmet needs, and solving them typically involves identifying the root cause, exploring possible solutions, and implementing effective strategies to address the issue.

2. Disagreement: Disagreement occurs when two or more parties hold conflicting viewpoints, opinions, or perspectives on a particular matter. Disagreements can arise in any interaction where individuals have different interpretations, preferences, or interests. Resolving disagreements often involves communication, negotiation, and compromise to find common ground or reach a consensus.

3. Contest: A contest is a competition or rivalry between individuals, teams, or entities striving to achieve a specific goal or outcome. Contests can take various forms, including athletic competitions, academic contests, or competitive elections. Participants in a contest typically compete against each other, often following established rules or guidelines, with the aim of emerging victorious.

4. Crusade: At Level 4, resolving the situation is not enough. Team members believe the others are incapable of changing. They may believe that the only option is to remove the others from the team or get removed from the team themselves. Factions become entrenched and can even solidify into a pseudo-organizational structure. Identifying with a faction can overshadow identifying with the team as a whole. People and positions are seen as one, opening up people to attack for their affiliations rather than for their ideas. These attacks come in the form of language rife with ideology and principles, which become the focus of conversation, rather than specific issues and facts. The overall attitude is righteous and punitive.

5. World War:  The aim at Level 5 is to destroy the others. It's not enough that one wins; others must lose. We must make sure this horrible situation does not happen again. The only option at Level 5 is to separate the combatants  so that they don't hurt one another. There is no hope for a constructive outcome.

Problem Solving / Collaboration : This is a win/win situation. It is the most effective but most difficult way of managing differences. It requires trust and commitment on all the sides to reach a resolution by getting to the heart of the problem. All  parties need to be wiling to empathise and try to understand each other's situation. Collaboration is most appropriate: When al parties are willing to investigate alternative solutions together that they may not necessarily have thought of on their own. When trying to get to the source of problems that have continued for a long time. The outcomes of this technique are long lasting, however this method is a time taking exercise.

Compromise : This is a win/lose – win/lose situation, i.e. everyone involved gains and loses through negotiation and flexibility. Each will win some of what they desire while at the same time giving something up. The main goal of this approach is to find common ground and maintain the relationship. Compromise is best used to achieve an agreement when al parties have equal power. To reach a temporary resolution in more complicated matters. To achieve a settlement when time or other circumstances are constrained.

Forcing or Competing : This is a win/lose situation. One party attempts to win the conflict through dominance and power. This approach is best used: When al other methods have been tried (and failed). In emergency situations when quick, immediate and decisive action is ca led for. In situations where unpopular changes need to be applied and discussion is not appropriate.

Withdrawal or Avoid : Neither party takes action to address the issues involved in the conflict, meaning that it will remain unresolved. This approach is best used: If all concerned feel that the issue is a minor one and will be resolved in time without any fuss. When the parties need a chance to cool down and spend time apart. If other people are able to resolve the conflict more effectively than the parties concerned. When more time is needed before thinking about dealing with the issues. If the impact of dealing with the situation may be damaging to all parties involved.

Accommodation (Smoothing):  This is a lose/win situation. The accommodation approach is genera ly used when one party is wiling to forfeit their position. It is best used in situations where: One party wishes to indicate a degree of fairness. People wish to encourage others to express their own opinion. The issue or problem is more important to the other party concerned. It is more important to safeguard the relationship rather than argue about the issue.