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Interest-Based Framing
Interest-based framing describes conflicts in terms of interests, rather than positions. Often, interests are compatible, even when positions are not. Thus interest-based framing enables the parties to identify win-win solutions to problems that might not have been evident when the issues were described in terms of the parties' positions.
Fairness-Based Framing
In fairness-based framing, the parties approach the conflict as an effort to obtain what is rightfully theirs. In doing this, they base their arguments on principles of fairness which are accepted by the larger society, including their more reasonable opponents.
Needs-Based Framing
This approach frames a conflict as a collective effort to fulfill the fundamental human needs of all parties. By eliminating the tensions that arise when these needs go unmet, the approach can sharply reduce the level of conflict.
Joint Reframing/Assisted Reframing
When opponents in a conflict each define, or frame, the conflict in very different terms it can make cooperative problem solving very difficult. An exercise in joint reframing can help each side see the conflict as the other side sees it, which can help both sides confront the situation in a more constructive way. It can even be helpful to get an outside observer to help one side alone assess the conflict to be sure their view is reasonably fair and accurate.
Integrative (or Win-Win) Reframing
Conflicts can usually be defined in a variety of ways. When conflicts are being approached as unavoidable win-lose situations, it is often useful to ask whether it is possible to redefine the situation so that integrative (or win-win) solutions can be obtained. This is especially important when the original problem definition leaves no acceptable alternatives for the opponent. Although integrative reframing is not always possible, often it is possible to reframe at least part of the conflict in this way.
Mirror Imaging
Mirror imaging is a strategy which parties can use to assess the reasonableness of their behavior. It asks the parties to look at themselves the way others see them and make appropriate changes if they do not like what they see. Often if disputants will look at themselves honestly, they will sometimes notice that they are doing the same kinds of things--name calling, deception, and rumor spreading, for example--that they fault their opponents for doing. Once this is understood, parties can change their behavior to appear more reasonable, without altering or undermining their true interests at all.
Accepting, Rather Than Challenging, the Situation
All grievances and complaints do not have to be framed as conflicts. Sometimes it is wiser for the parties to conclude that the issue is not important enough to justify the cost of confrontation. In such cases, the issue can be resolved by simply "agreeing to disagree" or accepting the situation as another disagreeable, but unavoidable, fact of life.
Power Sharing
Power sharing is a strategy for resolving disputes over who should have the most powerful position in the social hierarchy. Instead of fighting over who should have power over whom, power sharing relies upon the joint exercise of power. If conflicts can be reframed to focus on how such power sharing might take place, they can become much more constructive.
Goal Clarification
Being clear about one's goals before acting is essential for disputants and third party intervenors. After identifying the nature of the problem, figuring out what one wants and what a good end result would be is essential for determining how to respond to any conflict situation.
Finding and Borrowing Eloquent Statements of the Common Core Issues
One way to clarify the core issues is for the parties to review eloquent statements from prominent individuals who have struggled with similar problems and found a compelling way to state the core issues. If one of these statements seems to reflect their situation it could be adapted to the new context and used as an effective way to frame the conflict.
Understanding the Usefulness of Conflict
Although many people and cultures assume conflict is bad, conflict is actually necessary to the healthy functioning of social groups, as it provides a way for interests to be balanced and mutual needs met. If the utility of conflict is understood, then mechanisms can be developed for allowing conflict to occur in a controlled and constructive way.
Balanced Sociation
Balanced sociation is a conscious effort by a society to make both cooperation and conflict prominent in public consciousness, formal education, and public investment.