Morton Deutsch: The Study of Conflict Dynamics

Conflict is a natural and necessary component of human life that drives learning, relationship growth, and societal fairness. Morton Deutsch's research focused on understanding under what conditions conflicts could lead to positive outcomes, akin to how humans need sex. He discovered that in groups with shared identity and common goals, conflicts are seen as shared problems requiring constructive resolution, leading to better communication, attitudes, and problem-solving. Conversely, in groups where members are viewed as threats and compete for power and resources, conflicts escalate quickly into competitive and contentious dynamics. Studies show that perceiving others as connected fosters constructive conflict resolution, while viewing them as competitive threats results in a more contentious and competitive approach.