Conflict, Integrative Complexity and Openness: Constructive vs. Destructive Conversations on Intractable Issues

Intractable conflicts are often defined as a dispute or disagreement which is “intense, deadlocked, and resistant to de-escalation or resolution” (Deutsch, 2011). This study posits that the magnitude of intractable conflicts can be reduced when conversations between parties with opposing views facilitate and demonstrate constructive conflict dynamics. Constructive dynamics are correlated with higher levels of integrative complexity and emotional openness whereas destructive conflict dynamics are correlated with lower levels of integrative complexity and simplified views and behaviors. In this study we investigated and compared the constructive and deconstructive conflict dynamics by randomly assigning and priming participants to either a high, low, or mixed integrative complexity group before having them engage in a conversation about a randomly assigned socio-political topic. Based on our initial results we expect to find that higher integrative complexity and emotional openness will predict more constructive dynamics, and in turn, positive outcomes for resolving intractable conflicts.