Internal conflict psychology ways and means of solution. Internal personality conflict: causes, types, examples, consequences

An internal conflict or, in other words, cognitive dissonance, an internal contradiction is the presence in the human psyche of at least 2 contradictory and, at first glance, mutually exclusive attitudes that interfere with it. act effectively and live happily. Where do they come from?

Mental attitudes (conscious or unconscious) are the result of decisions ever made by a person. Attitudes can be more or less conscious, depending on the circumstances under which, in what emotional state and how long ago the decision that gave rise to them was made.

* The first moment: the level of emotionality of the decision.A decision made in a calmer emotional state is remembered better by consciousness. A decision made on the basis of emotions is little or not realized by us; goes straight into the unconscious and lives there, guiding our behavior.

Example: A girl finds out about her boyfriend's betrayal: “You cheated on me?! Ah, the men are traitors! - so the attitude "men are fickle and prone to betrayal / betrayal" was formed.And now she will surreptitiously manage the behavior of this girl.Thus, the beginning of an internal conflict has been laid: consciously, the girl will strive to find a decent man (who does not cheat, in order to avoid disappointment, as the previous time), and unconsciously, on the contrary, she will "pull out" from the general mass of ALL men exactly THOSE who are prone to adultery, and provoke them to do so. Why might she need it? And in order to confirm the decision once made, i.e. OUR RIGHTNESS - most of us tend to want to be right as often as possible (if so, frankly)? This strengthens our ego, conceit, confidence that we are right and think right. Isn't it so?

* The second point: the statute of limitations for the decision. The earlier in life a decision was made, the more it has managed to gain a foothold in us and the more widely it affects our life through our behavior. Decisions made in early childhood are older and, therefore, already firmly entrenched in the unconscious. And this means that all the experience that follows such decisions will confirm them, which, in turn, will further strengthen these decisions. Here is such a vicious circle.

Example. A child, when going to the store with his mother, asks her to buy some kind of candy, and she answers him that it is harmful. The child has an opinion that what he wants is harmful, bad. If situations with refusal are often repeated (and this is almost inevitable in the current system of education), then this opinion will strengthen and form approximately into the following decision: “My desires are wrong, therefore they cannot and should not be fulfilled.” When growing up, this decision turns into an attitude that gradually, more and more often, begins to cause an internal conflict in a person: on the one hand, he periodically has some desires, and on the other hand, he “remembers” from childhood that his desires are “harmful” and therefore, they should not be performed - as my mother once said (and then my mother seemed to be an adult, smart, knowing better what is good and what is bad). And it turns out that, on the one hand, a person wants something, but on the other hand, he does not allow himself. Voila! - cognitive dissonance in action. And here it is important not to start blaming the mother for all the current problems: after all, then (in THAT situation) she probably could even be right - she wanted to keep the child healthy (i.e. wished him well) or she had some other reasons to do so. It's not her, it's the child then decided that it should be ALWAYS like this now, that it's always "not possible when you want", because it can be harmful. Mom did not say this and did not make such a decision for him at that moment.

So, let's consider in more detail another example that reflects the presence of an internal conflict in the psyche, and describe the algorithm of specific actions necessary to eliminate it. Suppose a person decides to start a business. And it seems that everything should be fine: the business is generally profitable, there is demand, but for some reason it does not go: at the same time, a person either feels some kind of internal resistance, or there is an insurmountable external one (there are always some obstacles on the way). What to do?

1. Recognize the contradiction.

What exactly do you want? Why not? Separate these two positions (opinions) and present them as two conflicting parties.

What does the first party want? - Make dream comes true.
What does the other side want? - Forbid fulfilling a wish. Why? Because it can cause some, known only to her, harm to the person (a sense of self-preservation is triggered). This means that she (the other side) in theory only wants the person to be safe and that the fulfillment of the desire does not harm him. Very thoughtfully, mind youJ.

Here you need to think and realize what kind of negative consequences can be if the desire does come true? Because if the “second side” resists the fulfillment of a desire, it means that it definitely knows something about certain negative consequences and that is why it resists. We ask the question: “How can doing this business harm a person?” What comes to mind? Well, for example, I remember that once a person heard and remembered the phrase: “All businessmen are swindlers!” or something else like that. And now, consciously, a person wants to do business (despite the fact that he is really interested in it, and he has the ability), but unconsciously he “remembers” that “only swindlers are engaged in business”, and you don’t want to be a swindler, because. this is morally wrong. I don't want to be bad, I want to be good. So it turns out that consciously a person can do something to develop a business, but unconsciously wants it not to develop or die quickly, and also DOES SOMETHING FOR THIS (at the same time, without realizing the destructive consequences of these actions). Outcome: either permanent obstacles, or stagnation, etc.

2. Reconcile the conflicting parties, find a consensus (as Mikhail Gorbachev liked to say J).

How? To do everything possible so that the fact of the fulfillment of desire satisfies both parties: it came true, and at the same time did not harm the person in any way. To do this, you need to study and / or realize the potential negative consequences (in our case, the likelihood of becoming a crook), and then figure out how to minimize such damage (in this case directly to the individual, in others it may be damage to society). The less negative consequences there are, the less resistance there will be and the easier and faster the desire will be fulfilled.

To remove resistance, in our example, a person can decide that he will build a business as honestly as possible both in relation to partners and in relation to clients: no fraud and manipulation - only honest and equal partnerships. And, if he starts working with such a setting, then the resistance will go away (if there are no other significant limiting settings - in which case they also need to be identified and converted, as described above).

And may our desires come true and bring benefit to us and everyone around us!J

Intrapersonal conflict is a contradictory state of a person, which is characterized by general fatigue, depression, psychological discomfort and impotence. Intrapersonal conflict is manifested in the fact that a person cannot find a balance within himself, the right ways to solve disturbing problems. It seems that the spirit of contradiction is tearing him apart from the inside: he is constantly rushing about in search of a suitable option, but he cannot find a way out. What are the reasons for this conflict? What is it characterized by, what are the ways to resolve it?

Causes of intrapersonal conflicts

The conflict caused by the internal contradictions of the individual has its own reasons. It can never appear out of nowhere. There are plenty of reasons for the development of intrapersonal conflict.

Dissatisfaction with life

The first reason for developing conflict with oneself is the feeling of inner emptiness. A person has a feeling of some spiritual hopelessness, which is based, most often, on insignificant facts. As a rule, some external circumstances contribute to the development of disbelief in oneself and one's own capabilities, and hinder effective progress. Dissatisfaction with life is the reason why often a person does not try to change anything in his existence. He has a number of limiting beliefs, such as: “No one loves me”, “No one is interested in me”, “I have no talent, special gifts”

Hence the unwillingness to act at all. An intrapersonal conflict caused by dissatisfaction with life cannot be quickly resolved. It will take a lot of time and patience for a person to realize his own disorder, the lack of free positive energy.

Impossibility of self-realization

Another common reason for the development of intrapersonal conflict is the inability to live by one's own rules. Not everyone initially has equal opportunities in order to fully realize their potential. One person is hindered by external circumstances. The other person is unable to get around significant obstacles on the way to the goal and therefore gradually loses his bearings. Intrapersonal conflict is a reflection of discord with one's own essence. When a person cannot understand what is most important for him in life, experiences significant difficulties in setting priorities, he is unable to make the right decision.

The impossibility of self-realization is a serious reason that impedes personal growth in general and the understanding of one's strengths in particular. If a person is in deep conflict with himself, then it is quite difficult for him to determine his true values. In this case, all prospects are lost, many opportunities are missed that could lead to the most desired result.

Low self-esteem

Often the development of intrapersonal conflict contributes to inadequately low self-esteem. For some reason, a person ceases to believe in his own prospects and opportunities, does not notice his strengths. Usually, low self-esteem is the result of improper upbringing, when the influence of parents becomes a kind of directive and does not imply any alternatives. The conflict develops when a person ceases to be aware of what is happening to him, crushes his natural aspirations and desires. Intrapersonal conflict, as a rule, proceeds for several months or even years. During this period, a person must realize what is happening to him, find ways out of the crisis, outline several ways for himself to advance in the future. If the resolution of the conflict related to one's own "I" and self-realization does not occur in time, a person runs the risk of losing the best part of himself, becoming indifferent to everything.

Types of intrapersonal conflicts

The presence of any conflict must be approached as a problem that needs to be solved. Types of intrapersonal conflict show what initially caused the emergence and subsequent formation of a significant contradiction in a person. In relations with oneself, various conditions are important, with the help of which a person achieves a state of integrity. Unfortunately, even a minor obstacle on the path of life can break harmony.

Equivalent type

The conflict is expressed in the desire to preserve for oneself significant conditions of peace of mind and at the same time not to lose an important reference point. Most often, such a collision occurs as a result of the urgent need to make a conscious choice between the past and the present. The conflict forces a person to reconsider his own attitude to certain conditions of existence. It is exacerbated by the fact that there is a need to choose between two equivalent values. A person can sometimes be in thought for a long time, painfully trying to take the right step. As a rule, such a conflict implies that, giving preference to one event, we finally reject another, which is of no less importance.

vital type

The conflict manifests itself through unpleasant obligations that a person takes on his shoulders at a certain point in his life. The vital type is characterized by a loss of interest in one's own personality and in those activities that previously constituted a significant basis for existence. It is not solved by the usual methods of influencing the problem. A person is forced to spend a long time in an exhausting search before he dares to take a concrete step. As a rule, he is conscious and balanced. The conflict arises because a person has to make a choice between two equally unsatisfactory objects. In most cases, people tend to minimize their losses, so they prefer to focus on the lesser evil.

Ambivalent type

This person with himself implies that the choice is especially difficult to make. A person understands how serious the consequences of a wrong step can be and therefore is very afraid of the possibility of making a mistake. The ambivalent situation assumes that the result of actions somehow attracts and, at the same time, repels. In any case, the individual will have to overcome the conflict. A contradictory state does not at all contribute to the development of harmony within a person. If the conflict is not resolved in time, then additional suffering will appear due to some kind of hidden internal unfulfillment.

frustrating type

The conflict appears as a result of disapproval by society of specific actions of the individual, aimed at obtaining a particular result. The conflict manifests itself through the impossibility for the individual to do what is of significant interest to her. There is practically no freedom of choice here. A person who is in a state of pronounced frustration is necessarily in a struggle with himself. The inability to solve the problem alone eventually leads to conflict with the outside world.

Resolution of intrapersonal conflict

Intrapersonal conflict is a very dangerous thing. In many ways, it often prevents the formation of individuality, the disclosure of talents and abilities. A person in this state often does not notice what is happening to him. Suffering gradually becomes an integral part of his habitual existence. The resolution of an intrapersonal conflict leads to the disclosure of the true capabilities of a person, contributes to the establishment of relationships with loved ones. Suddenly, significant prospects appear that for some reason were not noticed before. What are the ways to resolve the internal conflict?

Compromise

Achieving a compromise with oneself implies that a person will constantly work on shortcomings, try in every possible way to eradicate them. Many conflicts were resolved through compromise. Find in yourself those traits that you yourself find useful. These qualities of character will need to be cultivated in oneself to a confident state. The conflict is minimized and will gradually disappear altogether.

Recognizing your strengths

Of course, each of us has them. In most cases, a person tends to ignore his own victories and achievements. This approach to life allows him to constantly complain about the lack of opportunities. Meanwhile, opportunities are hidden everywhere, you just need to be able to see them in time. Intrapersonal conflict always reflects the unfair attitude of a person towards his own person. Check yourself, are you diminishing your achievements? Recognizing one's strengths will help not only to resolve a pressing conflict, but also to qualitatively improve life, to bring a lot of bright colors into it. Try to take the position “I am a value”, then you will not have to constantly prove to others your importance. Relatives, colleagues, friends from afar will recognize your personality and will not allow themselves more offensive statements addressed to you. Believe me, a strong person is one who was able to realize his true nature, to gain respect for himself. That is why we are respected by others.

Understanding your purpose

Conflict with oneself is always incredibly exhausting. It's like a battle that has no winners. People are sometimes ready to adapt to the demands of society and shift responsibility for their own destiny onto someone else's shoulders. Only the understanding of one's true destiny turns a person to a greater extent towards himself. It becomes difficult to confuse such a person, to impose some kind of opinion on her. If you want to be happy, find your favorite thing that will inspire you to new achievements and give you a lot of positive emotions. The resulting impressions will help to cope with any difficulties, resolve intrapersonal conflict.

Thus, in conflict there is always an opportunity for personal growth. The more efforts we make to overcome the contradiction, the more noticeable the final result will be. It is extremely important for a person to be able to deal with his internal conflicts in time in order to fully move forward and go through life with his head held high.

intrapersonal conflict one of the most complex psychological conflicts that is played out in the inner world of a person. It is difficult to imagine a person who would never experience an intrapersonal conflict in his life. Moreover, a person has to deal with such conflicts in his life constantly. Constructive intrapersonal conflict is an integral part of the development of his psyche.

Destructive intrapersonal conflict leads to quite serious consequences, from severe experiences that cause, to an extreme form of its resolution -. It should be emphasized that the internal conflict situation is constantly present in each of us and this should not be feared. For a mentally healthy person, an internal conflict situation at the “background” level is a completely natural state. The German philosopher I. believed that a person who always has a calm conscience and who is not tormented by doubts cannot be highly moral. The great Slavic philosopher V. Solovyov, in opposition to the Western European rationalism of Descartes - "I think, therefore I exist" - opposed his thesis, taking into account the peculiarities of the Slavic mentality - "I am ashamed, therefore I exist." The problem of intrapersonal conflict is the main one for the main characters in the works of A. Pushkin (the famous letter of Tatyana), the novel "War and Peace" by L.N. Tolstoy (the experiences of Pierre Bezukhov, Count Bolkonsky, Natasha Rostova), characters in the novels of F. Dostoevsky, Ya. Kolos, I. Melezh. The problem of the rebellious Slavic soul is central to almost all works of the classics of Russian and Belarusian literature.

The state of a certain intrapersonal tension and inconsistency of the psyche is not only natural, but also necessary for the development and improvement of the personality itself, which cannot be carried out without resolving internal contradictions. The presence of contradictions is the basis for the emergence of conflict. If an intrapersonal conflict situation proceeds at the background level, an intrapersonal conflict is necessary. Dissatisfaction with oneself, a critical attitude towards oneself make a person strive for self-improvement, self-realization and self-actualization, thereby a person fills not only his life with meaning, but also improves the surrounding reality.

The problem of intrapersonal conflict most actively developed and is being developed in Western psychology. The beginning of its scientific substantiation was laid at the end of the 19th century and is associated with the name of the founder in psychology.

Features of approaches to the consideration of intrapersonal conflicts are determined by the peculiarity of understanding the essence of personality, which has developed in various psychological schools. Proceeding from this, a number of main directions for the consideration of intrapersonal conflict can be distinguished.

Z. Freud substantiated the biopsychological, biosocial nature of the intrapersonal conflict. The human psyche is inherently contradictory. Its functioning is associated with constant tension and overcoming the contradiction between the biological drives and desires of a person and socio-cultural norms, between the unconscious and consciousness. According to Sigmund Freud, this contradiction and constant confrontation is the essence of intrapersonal conflict. This theory was further developed in the work of his followers: - regression to a lower level of the psyche, - clash of aspirations for satisfaction and security, the contradiction of "neurotic needs", etc.

Intrapersonal conflict according to Freud:
- Biological drives and desires (Unconscious);
- Socio-cultural norms (Conscious).

A rather original theory of intrapersonal conflict, called "field theory", was put forward by a German psychologist. According to this theory, the inner world of the individual is simultaneously under the influence of oppositely directed forces. And the subject must make a choice in favor of one of them. These forces can be both negative and positive, or one of them is positive and the other is negative.

The main conditions for the emergence of the conflict, according to K. Levin, is the approximate equality and significance of these forces for the individual.

According to the theory of personality "I-concept", the occurrence of an intrapersonal conflict is due to the discrepancy between the idea of ​​the individual about himself ("") with the idea of ​​\u200b\u200bthe ideal "I". In his opinion, this mismatch can lead to serious mental disorders, up to mental illness.

Quite popular is the theory of intrapersonal conflict, developed by. Since, in his opinion, the structure of the personality is formed by the corresponding hierarchy of needs (5-level pyramid of needs), and the highest of them is the need for self-realization, the main reason for the emergence of an intrapersonal conflict lies in the gap in most people between the desire for self-actualization and the actually achieved result.

In modern conditions, the theory of intrapersonal conflict, developed by the Austrian psychologist and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, the creator of a new scientific direction of logotherapy, the science of “the meaning of human existence and the search for this meaning,” enjoys a certain popularity. In his opinion, intrapersonal conflict is the result of a disorder of the "spiritual core" of the personality, caused by a spiritual, creative vacuum, the loss of the meaning of life. Intrapersonal conflict manifests itself in noogenic (nusogenic), which manifest themselves in apathy, boredom,.

Among Russian scientists who have made a significant contribution to the development of the problem of intrapersonal conflict, A. Luria (a collision of two strong, but oppositely directed tendencies), V. Merlin (as a result of acute dissatisfaction with deep actual motives and personality relationships), F. Vasilyuk (a collision of two internal motives reflected in the form of independent opposite values), etc. But, first of all, attention should be paid to the activity approach. According to A. Leontiev, intrapersonal conflict is inherent in the internal structure of the personality and is a normal phenomenon. In its structure, any is contradictory. Usually the resolution of these contradictions occurs in the simplest forms and does not lead to the emergence of an intrapersonal conflict. “After all, a harmonious personality is not at all a personality that does not know any internal struggle.” But in some cases, the resolution of these contradictions goes beyond the simplest forms and becomes the main thing that determines the behavior and the whole appearance of a person. As a result, intrapersonal conflict arises. In his opinion, intrapersonal conflict is the result of the struggle of hierarchical, motivational lines of personality. Among domestic psychologists, approaches to the consideration of the intrapersonal conflict of N.F. Vishnyakova.

Having considered the basic concepts of intrapersonal development, it is necessary to formulate its definition. There is no single point of view on this issue in the conflictological literature. Intrapersonal conflict is designated by various authors as personal, internal, intrasubjective, intrapersonal, psychological.

So after all, what socio-psychological phenomenon is understood as an intrapersonal conflict?

Despite the variety of its definitions, there are a number of parameters that unite them all. These should include:
- intrapersonal conflict appears as a result of the interaction of internal elements of the structure of the personality psyche;
- the subjects ("S") of the intrapersonal conflict are simultaneously diverse and conflicting interests, goals, and desires existing in the personality;
- intrapersonal conflict occurs only when the contradictions are equal and significant for the individual;
- internal conflict is accompanied by sharp negative emotions.

Thus, an intrapersonal conflict is an acute negative experience caused by a protracted struggle between the structures of the inner world of a person, reflecting contradictory connections with the social environment and delaying decision making.

The basis of any intrapersonal conflict is a situation characterized by:
- inconsistency of positions;
- the opposite of motives, goals and interests;
- the opposite of means to achieve goals in specific conditions;
- the inability to satisfy any need and at the same time the impossibility of satisfying it.

Intrapersonal conflict has a number of features that are important to consider when identifying, preventing and resolving it.

Features of intrapersonal conflict:

- Specificity of structural components;
- latency;
- Specificity of forms of manifestation;
- The specificity of the forms of leakage.

The modern classification (typology) of intrapersonal conflict is very diverse.

One of the most common is the 3-level classification of intrapersonal conflict, which is based on the emergence of contradictions between the need and the social norm.

The most complete classification of intrapersonal conflicts is contained in the work of A.Ya. Antsupova and A.I. Shipilov, who took the value-motivational sphere of personality as a basis for classification.

Depending on which aspects of the inner world of the individual come into conflict, they identified the following main types of intrapersonal conflict (the value-motivational sphere of the individual).

If any of the above conflicts is not resolved for a long time, it can lead to stress, frustration and its rather dangerous form - NEUROTIC conflict - characterized by the highest tension and confrontation of the internal forces of the individual.

The above typology of intrapersonal conflicts does not fully exhaust their classification. Depending on other grounds, a different typology can be given. So, if we take as a basis the function of an intrapersonal conflict, then it can be classified as: Constructive or destructive.

Constructive (functional, productive) conflict contributes to the maximum development of the subjects of the conflict and constructive personal costs for its resolution.

A destructive (dysfunctional, unproductive) conflict exacerbates a split personality, develops into a life crisis, and, as a rule, leads to a neurotic conflict.

Intrapersonal conflict is a contradiction that arises in a person for a number of reasons. The conflict is perceived as a serious emotional problem. Intrapersonal conflict requires special attention, strength to resolve it, enhanced internal work.

Causes of internal conflicts:

  • applying old strategies in a new situation in which they will not work;
  • inability to make responsible decisions;
  • lack of information necessary to control the situation;
  • dissatisfaction with one's own place in life;
  • lack of full communication;
  • problems with self-esteem;
  • big obligations;
  • inability to change the situation.

In order to accurately analyze an intrapersonal conflict and find a way to resolve it, it must be remembered that the main reason is the pressure of the social environment on the individual.

The whole group of intrapersonal conflicts can be divided into two subgroups:

  1. appearing due to objective contradictions that affect the inner world of the individual (this includes moral conflicts, adaptation, etc.)
  2. appearing due to the discrepancy between the inner world of the individual and the world around him (conflicts related to self-esteem or motivation).

The resolution of an intrapersonal conflict is associated with the acquisition of new qualities. A person must coordinate his own inner world with the environment, society. She must develop the habit of not being so acutely aware of contradictions. There are two options for overcoming intrapersonal conflict - constructive and destructive. The constructive option allows you to get a new quality of life, to achieve harmony and peace of mind, to understand life deeper and more accurately. Overcoming an internal conflict can be understood by reducing negative socio-psychological factors, by the absence of painful sensations that previously arose due to the conflict, by improving the condition and increasing efficiency.

All people deal with their intrapersonal conflicts differently. It depends on their individual qualities and temperament. The latter affects the speed and stability of experiences, their intensity. It also depends on temperament whether the conflict is directed inward or outward. Every person experiences intrapersonal conflict differently.

Ways to resolve intrapersonal conflicts:

  • Changing the chosen strategy

Many people are often unable to change the way they perceive and think in a new situation. We adhere to similar behavior, trying to deceive ourselves that the situation does not require drastic changes. It is necessary not only to learn to analyze the facts, but also to realize your own attitude to the problem. Each time, ask yourself if the chosen strategy of behavior is relevant for a particular case. If a change in approach is required, action must be taken. Then the internal conflict of the personality will be resolved constructively.

  • Ability to deal with tension

When realizing the conflict, the inability to follow the requirements of a particular situation, a minor mental trauma may occur. It will become a trigger mechanism capable of radically changing the approach to solving the problem and the attitude towards it. A person begins to show hypertrophied qualities. If earlier he was mobile, now he will behave fussy and chaotic. If earlier he was irritable, now his temper will become the main feature. Mild anxiety can turn into fear. Circumstances force a person to behave aggressively. Often, with an intrapersonal conflict, complexes appear. A person begins to invent reasons for his own failure and withdraws into himself.

To find a constructive way to get rid of internal conflict, you need to be aware of your own problems. Everyone has difficulties, but only those who understand the existence of problems can deal with them. It is necessary to achieve harmony between the spiritual and physical state, communication and imagination. The stability of the mental state is positively affected by physical relaxation. To normalize the work of the psyche, you need to perform simple actions.

Margaret Thatcher wrote about them. She said that after a hard day at home, all the problems seemed to pile on her, bring her to tears. She relieved spiritual tension with simple housework - ironing or putting dishes in the closet. This made it possible to bring the psyche back to normal, to relax.

  • Finding the best moment to act

With a lack of information that does not allow action, it is worth waiting a bit. However, this expectation turns out to be too tedious. In this case, you should give yourself the installation to wait for the right moment. This setting will relieve constant anxiety, make it easier to endure waiting. Often, waiting literally eats up choleric people who are incapable of long inactivity. But people of other temperaments can break loose and start acting in inappropriate conditions. This is how errors appear. Remember the rule - if you do not know what to do, then it is better to do nothing. This will save you from mistakes. Later, you will receive the necessary information and determine the optimal moment for taking action.

  • Waiting for the result

Not everyone is able to wait not only for a good moment, but also for the result of their actions. Impatience makes you come up with something so that he appears sooner. This is due to the uncertainty that all actions to achieve the desired result were completed on time. In this case, you need to give yourself the installation that the result will come by itself. So you can relieve tension from uncertainty, better adapt to the conditions of expectation.

  • Praise yourself in difficult situations

Troubles and problems are faithful companions of any business. Nothing can go smoothly. When trouble arises, do not blame yourself or be upset. You need to understand what will be better after. This creates an interval of calm. If a person understands that soon all difficulties will go away, he will have additional strength. This is necessary if your activity requires a long time to get the desired result. Pay attention not only to the end result, but also to intermediate successes. The passage of each stage deserves encouragement. In difficult situations, humor often saves. You can get rid of sad thoughts, look at the situation from a different angle.

  • Learn to enjoy the feeling of isolation to good use.

Communication is not only communication with other people, but also communication with oneself. If a person has a feeling of isolation, then he must analyze it, understand the reasons. There may be several reasons. If this is a decrease in self-esteem, then you need to remember your past achievements, then self-confidence will appear. If this is a deterioration in relations with colleagues or friends, then you need to restore intimacy, even if this requires concessions on your part or an apology.

Is it possible to constructively resolve internal conflict caused by the compulsion of the situation? We all differ in love of freedom, but its scope depends on the individual and the characteristics of her character. It must be realized that social life is impossible in isolation from society itself. After that, you should compare concessions with life attitudes. If the concessions do not violate the integrity of the basic values ​​of life, then the conflict is unjustified. But the answer to this question is individual for everyone.

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A person communicates not only with other people, but also with himself. All people talk to themselves. This happens by thinking about some idea, imagining a conversation in which two opponents participate, discussing a topic that has strongly affected, etc. The occurrence of intrapersonal conflict is a completely normal consequence, which can be of various types. The concept and reasons reveal this phenomenon more widely.

Intrapersonal conflict is characteristic of all people who have conflicting views, desires, ideas. Intrapersonal often occurs when a person wants one thing, and the world offers him something else or the people around him demand something else. This phenomenon happens to everyone, often creating serious problems.

What is intrapersonal conflict?

Communication of a person with himself is called intrapersonal. What is intrapersonal conflict? This is a contradiction that arises within a person as a result of such communication. This conflict is perceived by the individual as a serious problem that requires an immediate solution. If a person cannot resolve the situation or is not able to make a final decision, then the problem provokes various disorders and disorders in him. For example, a person may sleep poorly because of the need to think about their problem.

As a result of intrapersonal conflict, a person can go one of the following ways:

  1. The problem will make him self-evolve. His forces are mobilized, because of which he will begin to take measures to improve the quality of his life.
  2. The problem will slow him down, which will lead to a lack of self-knowledge and the development process.

An intrapersonal conflict is a collision of two or more equal in importance and opposite in direction needs, interests, desires, drives. In such a situation, a person experiences difficulty in making a decision, making a choice. If he takes one of the sides, then he will lose all the benefits of the other side. A person understands this, therefore he is in doubt, hesitates, cannot make a choice.

Depending on the significance of the topic that a person cannot solve, an intrapersonal conflict can lead to various troubles and even frustrations. While a person is in confrontation with himself, he develops various pathologies in himself at the physiological or psychological level. As soon as the problem is solved, the person is on the path to recovery and release from all side effects.

The concept of intrapersonal conflict

The concept of intrapersonal conflict implies a confrontation that arises within a person in connection with the consideration of two opposing or diverse ideas. A feature of intrapersonal conflict is that:

  1. A person may not be aware of the presence of a conflict inside him, but on a subconscious level, he compensates for this either with activity.
  2. There are no strangers with whom a person argues. A conflict arises in a person with himself.
  3. Confrontation is accompanied by depression, fears, stress and other negative experiences.

Depending on how the personality is characterized, there are various causes and essences of intrapersonal conflict:

  • Freud considered this phenomenon as a confrontation between biological instincts and impulses and social foundations in which a person is forced to live. When inner desires do not agree with outer possibilities or social moral principles, then the person is stuck in conflict.
  • K. Levin defined intrapersonal conflict as the need for a person to live in conditions of simultaneously directed polar forces. Confrontation is a consequence of the equivalence of these forces.
  • K. Rogers considered intrapersonal conflict as a consequence of the discrepancy between self-image and understanding of the ideal "I".
  • A. Maslow considered this phenomenon as a consequence of the discrepancy between the desire to fulfill oneself and the results already achieved.
  • V. Merlin considered intrapersonal conflict as a consequence of dissatisfaction with personal relationships and motives.
  • F. Vasilyuk believed that intrapersonal conflict is a confrontation between two opposite and independent values.

Leontiev believed that intrapersonal conflict is a normal state of the psyche, since it is contradictory. A. Adler singled out an inferiority complex, developed in childhood under the influence of an unfavorable environment, as the basis for the emergence of an intrapersonal conflict.

E. Erickson believed that in each age period a person necessarily encounters various contradictions, the successful or unsuccessful resolution of which programs the future fate. Successful resolution allows you to move on to the next round of development. Unsuccessful resolution leads to the emergence of complexes and foundations for the development of intrapersonal conflicts.

Causes of intrapersonal conflicts

Conventionally, the causes of intrapersonal conflicts are divided into 3 types:

  1. The inconsistency itself. If a person has many desires, diverse views and values, then conflict cannot be avoided. Here are the contradictions:
  • Between social norms and needs.
  • Contradiction of public duty and internal (religious) values.
  • Mismatch of needs, interests, desires.
  • The struggle between the social roles that a person must play in a specific period of time.

These contradictions must be significant for the individual and at the same time equivalent, otherwise the conflict will not arise, the person will choose what is most acceptable to him or less harmful.

  1. The status of a person in society.
  2. The status of an individual in a particular group. Being in a certain group of people, a person is forced to coordinate his needs with the desires of the environment. Sometimes you have to "step on the throat of your own song" just to get approval for your actions from other people. Here are the confrontations:
  • External circumstances interfere with the satisfaction of their needs.
  • The absence of a partner who is needed to meet the need.
  • Physiological flaws and pathologies that prevent a person from achieving their goals.
  • A society that hinders or restricts a person.

A person has to do the work, while he is not provided with the necessary tools. They give specific tasks, while the issue of fulfilling the plan is not discussed. A person must be an excellent worker, while devoting sufficient time to the family. Often, personal values ​​and the rules proposed in the company come into conflict.

There are a lot of reasons for conflict within a person, so absolutely all people are faced with this phenomenon.

Types of intrapersonal conflict

K. Levin proposed 4 main types of intrapersonal conflict:

  1. Equivalent - there is a confrontation between two or more functions that a person must perform. The solution is compromise, partial fulfillment.
  2. Vital - occurs when it is necessary to make equally wrong decisions.
  3. - occurs when the actions and the result are equally liked or repelled.
  4. Frustrating - occurs when accepted norms and foundations diverge, the result with the actions taken to achieve the goal, disapproval.

A person is faced with an intrapersonal conflict when prompted by two diverse motives. The moral background arises in a situation where a person is forced to measure his desires with social moral principles, his aspirations with duty.

A conflict based on unfulfilled desires occurs when a person has goals, but is faced with a reality that prevents him from doing so. A role conflict occurs when a person is forced to play several roles at the same time, as well as in a situation where the requirements for a person do not converge with his own ideas about this role or capabilities.

The conflict of inadequate self-esteem arises as a result of a discrepancy between one's own idea and an assessment of personal potential.

Resolution of intrapersonal conflict

Adler was persistently engaged in resolving intrapersonal conflict, who at first determined that an inferiority complex provokes this phenomenon. Up to 5 years, the character of a person is formed, which is constantly exposed to various adverse social circumstances. Further, he only tries to compensate for his shortcomings in various ways.

Adler identified 2 ways to resolve intrapersonal conflict:

  1. Development of social interest and feeling. Successful development allows you to adapt to society and build good relationships. Otherwise, alcoholism, drug addiction, and crime develop.
  2. Stimulation of own potential:
  • adequate compensation.
  • Overcompensation is the development of one ability.
  • Imaginary compensation - some factors compensate for the inferiority complex.

The resolution of intrapersonal conflict can occur in the following ways:

  1. Open:
  • End of doubt.
  • Making decisions.
  • Concentration on problem solving.
  1. Hidden (latent):
  • Simulation, hysteria, torment.
  • Rationalization is self-justification through logical reasoning that involves selective arguments.
  • Sublimation.
  • Idealization is abstraction, detachment from reality.
  • Compensation - replenishment of the lost by other goals and achievements.
  • Regression - avoidance of responsibility, return to primitive forms of existence.
  • Departure from reality - dreams.
  • Euphoria is a joyful state, feigned fun.
  • Nomadism is a change of place of residence or work.
  • Projection is the attribution of one's own negative qualities to others.
  • Differentiation is the separation of thoughts from the author.

Consequences of intrapersonal conflict

Intrapersonal conflict affects how the personality is further formed. The consequences can be both productive and destructive, depending on the decisions that are made by the individual.

Successful conflict resolution leads to self-knowledge, self-esteem and personal self-realization. A person rises above himself, develops, becomes stronger, improves his own life.

The negative consequences of intrapersonal conflict are neurotic disorders, crises, splitting of personality. The person becomes aggressive, irritable, anxious, restless. The professional ability of a person and the ability to establish contacts with others are violated.

If a person cannot cope with his own internal problems and gives them a central place in his life for a long time, then neurotic conflicts arise. A person changes under their influence.

Outcome

Intrapersonal conflict is common to all people. A person does not live in "greenhouse" conditions, where he can not worry about anything, not worry, not face troubles. The result will depend personally on the person who sooner or later makes some decision after a long intrapersonal conflict.

Whatever decision a person makes, he will follow this path. And in the future, problems of a similar or other nature will arise again. A person will again make decisions that will affect his development and actions. This forms his future, that is, the life that he then lives.