Conflict as an Attractor: A Dynamical Systems Perspective on the Dynamics of Conflict

Abstract

This chapter presents, from a dynamical systems perspective, theoretical and empirical work on the processes of conflict at the interpersonal, social, and inter-group level, as well as practical implications from such works. The research discussed suggests that it is particularly useful to conceptualize ongoing destructive conflicts as resulting from strong attractors: a specific form of self-organization of multiple elements consisting of mental and social systems associated with the conflict. The dynamic properties of conflict in family dyads, marriage and group dynamics are illustrated and quantified using tools derived from complexity science, with particular emphasis on identifying patterns of self-organization leading to destructive social relations. The chapter begins by demonstrating the relevance of the concept of attractors for a description of the dynamics of conflict processes, at different levels of social reality. Next, a series of novel hypotheses, lines of research and interesting results in the domain of interpersonal conflict emerging from this approach are presented, with special emphasis on methods adopted in various areas of psychology for the measurement and quantification of conflict attractor patterns. The chapter concludes with theoretical and practical implications of the presented framework for conflict resolution and transformation, with a detailed description of an attractor software – a visualization tool used in various conflict resolution settings – that has proven particularly effective in supporting lasting, sustainable solutions in complex conflict negotiations.