High Conflict

High conflict is what happens when conflict clarifies into a good-versus-evil kind of feud, the kind with an us and a them.

High conflict is what happens when conflict clarifies into a good-versus-evil kind of feud, the kind with an us and a them. More than just disagreement. High conflict isn't simply a heated argument; it's a self-perpetuating cycle that draws people in, making them act against their own best interests. It's like the La Brea Tar Pits, where creatures get stuck and the more they struggle, the deeper they sink. This magnetic pull makes it difficult to escape, even when we want to. Us-versus-them mentality. High conflict is characterized by a clear division between "us" and "them," where the other side is seen as inherently evil or wrong. This binary thinking simplifies complex issues and makes it harder to find common ground. It's not about the issue itself, but about the perceived moral superiority of one side over the other. Stagnation and dehumanization. Unlike healthy conflict, which leads to growth and understanding, high conflict is marked by stagnation and dehumanization. People become caricatures of themselves, and the conflict becomes the destination, not a means to an end. This makes it difficult to see the other side's humanity or to find a way out of the cycle.

The dangerous reduction of realities or choices into just two. For example: Black and White, good and evil, Democrat and Republican. Oversimplification of reality. Binary thinking reduces complex issues into two opposing sides, ignoring the nuances and gray areas that exist in reality. This "either/or" mentality makes it harder to find common ground and fuels polarization. It's like the Klee and Kandinsky experiment, where arbitrary groupings led to immediate bias. Categories and accusations. Categories, by their very nature, create an "us" and "them" dynamic, leading to accusations and blame. This is why political parties, which force people into binary choices, can be so divisive. Referendums, too, can be dangerous, as they force complex issues into a simple "yes" or "no" vote. The illusion of communication. We often assume that our intentions and desires are clear to others, but this is rarely the case. We overestimate our ability to communicate effectively and underestimate the power of confirmation bias, which leads us to interpret new information in ways that confirm our existing beliefs. This makes it harder to break free from binary thinking.

Groups bring obligations, including the duty to harm—or, at other times, the obligation to do no harm, to make peace. Vicarious experiences. Group identities create a sense of shared experience, where the pain or triumph of one member is felt by all. This can amplify conflict, as each act of violence or…