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International Online Training Program On Intractable Conflict |
Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, USA |
An opponent's motives can be misinterpreted just as their communication can be. This often happens as a result of negative stereotypes that people develop of their opponents in a dispute. As conflicts escalate, communication deteriorates, and distrust tends to build. Opponents are framed in increasingly negative waysas short-sighted, stubborn, selfish, even evil. Given such a negative mindset, disputants often misinterpret the motives of their opponents, assuming them to be more aggressive or more hostile than they actually are. This can result in an overly hostile and aggressive response, which feeds the escalation cycle.
Opening Lines of Communication
Failure to Understand an Opponent's Perspective
Misinterpretation of Communication
Inaccurate and Overly Hostile Stereotypes
Copyright ©1998 Conflict Research Consortium -- Contact: crc@colorado.edu