Psychological conflict

Behavioural conflict
Dissociative disorders
Psychological disturbance
Psychological distress

Nature

Personal or psychological conflict refers to a situation in which a person is motivated to engage in two or more mutually exclusive or incompatible activities. It occurs when the overt, verbal, symbolic, or emotional responses required to fulfill one motive are incompatible with those required to fulfill another. Social existence involves a great number of conflicts. The individual in society, subject to the pressures of the groups to which he belongs and the demands of the roles he must play, often experiences personal conflict. The entire process of the socialization of the child can be viewed as a conflict between the individual and society. Clinical studies show that the concept of conflict is particularly significant in the areas of personal adjustment and mental disorder.

Background

Psychological conflict emerged as a significant global concern in the early 20th century, notably through the work of Sigmund Freud and subsequent psychoanalysts who highlighted its pervasive impact on individual and collective behavior. Its importance gained further recognition during and after the World Wars, as clinicians and researchers observed widespread mental distress. Over time, cross-cultural studies and international health organizations have increasingly acknowledged psychological conflict as a universal phenomenon affecting societal well-being and development.

Incidence

Psychological conflict is a pervasive issue affecting individuals and communities across all continents, with significant implications for mental health, productivity, and social cohesion. Studies indicate that workplace psychological conflict alone impacts millions globally, contributing to increased absenteeism, reduced job satisfaction, and higher healthcare costs. The prevalence of psychological conflict is further exacerbated by rapid social change, economic uncertainty, and cultural tensions, making it a persistent challenge in both developed and developing societies.
In 2022, Japan experienced a notable rise in psychological conflict among remote workers, as reported by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Increased isolation and blurred work-life boundaries led to heightened interpersonal tensions and mental health concerns, prompting national discussions on workplace well-being.

Claim

Psychological conflicts are of central importance not only in neuroses but also in psychosomatic disease, sexual deviation and functional psychosis. Furthermore, they contribute to various forms of social pathology, such as marital, educational and vocational failure; delinquency, crime and prostitution; and alcoholism and drug addiction. Freud said that civilization itself is a product of the clash between the incompatible demands of biological urges and social conformity.

Counter-claim

Psychological and behavioural conflict is not in itself an indication of mental or psychological dysfunction. Neither deviant behaviour, e.g. political, religious, or sexual, nor conflicts that are primarily between the individual and society are mental disorders unless the individual herself is significantly distressed, disabled or suffers increased risk of death, pain, impairment, or an important loss of freedom. Reasonable or expected reaction to a particular event or social condition is not a psychological disorder.

Psychological conflict

Nature

Background

Incidence

Claim

Counter-claim

Broader

Narrower

Aggravates

Aggravated by

Related

Strategy

Value

Reference

SDG

Metadata