Conflict Brief 3 1
Conflict Brief 3: Advance the Practice and Study of Conflict Management
School of Business, Liberty University
Yvonne Wilson
COMS 560: Conflict and Communication
Dr. John Katsion
August 16, 2020
Conflict Brief 3 2
Executive Summary
The purpose of this article is to discuss how introducing new conflict management theories can
continuing advancing the study and practices of conflict management. Findings will be presented
from the previous weeks to submit a final approach on how the evolution of conflict resolutions
can impact the world. Restoration Theory will add to conflict management on the hine side of
conflict management to restore broken relationships. Also, to teach everyone involved how to
effectively communicate not to allow them to repeat the same conflict in the future.
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The Perspective
In many conflicts today, the involved people tend to evade one another and continue their
disagreement through reticence and emotional responses. Restoration Theory is the ability for
individuals to want to work through their differences and choose to avoid future conflict with
learned behavior. The three tenets of Restoration Theory are (1) accountability: Ezekiel 33:8
(KJV) says, “When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not
speak to warn the wicked from his way, that evil man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will
require from your hand.” To grow to pass any dispute, one must take accountability for the part
they played in the situation leading up to the central conflict. (2) Understanding: Proverbs
18:2 (ESV) says, “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his
opinion.” You have to listen to understand rather than listen to respond. (3) Response: Proverbs
15:1 (ESV) states, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. You must
resolve a conflict than dissolve a relationship” (Warren, 2014). To master the goal of Restoration
Theory, there is a need to have efficient principles to support the process of restoration of any
relationship, no matter what the conflict is.
The Rational
To further explain what Restoration Theory is, let us take a look over to Colossians 4-5:6
(ESV) it states “be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every
opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may
know how to answer everyone”. When individuals go through conflicts, they tend to focus on the
disagreement versus working towards solving the issues. With the Restoration Theory, people
would focus on overcoming their differences and work together to renew their relationship.
Relationships are essential to the quality of life and purpose, yet the significance of motivation to
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build and restore relationships is often neglected. When the involved parties perceive
relationships absent of personal benefit, their motivation to invest in relations is questioned.
(Teike and Sneed, 2018). Human needs, basic drives, and goals to generate energy behind social
connections. Needs create longings, which energize individuals toward development and
engagement. Fulfilling needs and lessening motivations drive individuals toward the pursuit of
goals (Thomas & Iding, 2012). Coordinating the entangled parties will not be an easy task if
everyone does not decide to want to fix the damaged relationship(s). Restoration Theory can only
be successful in the event that both parties will agree to put forth the same amount of effort as
their counterpart(s).
Conclusion
People participate with others to rationalize their basic human needs. Nevertheless, when
needs are not met, social interactions are avoided or eliminated altogether (Thomas & Iding,
2012). Conflict arises about feelings because the person experiencing the feeling believes the
feeling is true (Hocker & Wilmot, 2018). In Restoration Theory, the three tenets: accountability,
understanding, and response will be considered how to send respect to all individual parties
involved evenly. Even Though hurtful conflict can damage relationships, many cycles through
periods of wear, tear, and repair before relational termination (Bernhold, Dunbar, Merolla &
Giles, 2018). What Restoration Theory provides will help all parties involved to communicate
their emotions effectively. Restoration Theory is not a complete theory, in itself, more like an in
addition to conflict management theory. By sequencing these two theories right behind each
other, this will allow the parties involved to be able to cover everybody who feels like they were
not being heard.
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References
Bernhold, Q. S., Dunbar, N. E., Merolla, A. J., & Giles, H. (2018). Relational change following
hurtful conflict: An extension of identity implications theory. Human Communication
Research, 44(2), 127-154. doi:10.1093/hcr/hqx005
Hocker, J. L., and Wilmot, W. W. (2018). Interpersonal conflict. (10th ed.). New York, NY:
McGraw Hill.
Teike, D., & Sneed, K. J. (2018). Building and restoring relationships using the art of invitation:
An exploratory phenomenological study. Social Work and Christianity. 45(4), 3-21.
Thomas, R.M., and Iding, M.K. (2012). Explaining conversations: A developmental social-
exchange theory. Lanham, MD: The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc.
Warren. R., (2014). Learn how to resolve conflict & restore relationships. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1udN6OShf4&feature=youtu.be
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