Enhancing Character Disputes through the Application of Five Conflict Resolution Techniques
The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) is a powerful tool for understanding how characters handle conflict in literature. Developed by psychologists Kenneth W. Thomas and Ralph H. Kilmann in 1970, the TKI identifies five distinct conflict management styles: competing, collaborating, compromising, accommodating, and avoiding.
In the world of literature, characters like Beth March from Little Women consistently yield to her sisters' wishes to maintain family harmony, even at personal cost. This is a clear example of the Accommodating style, which scores low in assertiveness and high in cooperativeness, often seeking peace.
On the other hand, Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games (2012) often negotiates partial agreements with allies to survive, while still holding to her values. This can be seen as a blend of the Compromising style, which desires a partial resolution, with both sides giving a little and meeting in the middle, and the Competing style, which pushes hard for their own way, even if it risks upsetting others.
Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) strives for truth and fairness, balancing empathy with justice and involving others in the moral conversation during his courtroom defense of Tom Robinson. His approach aligns with the Collaborating style, which seeks solutions that work for everyone involved in the disagreement.
Marty McFly in Back to the Future (1985) consistently seeks middle-ground solutions to avoid outright confrontation, another example of the Compromising style. However, this style can often lead to indecision, as their greatest desire is for everyone to be happy.
Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings shows Accommodating tendencies in his dedication to putting Frodo's needs and safety above his own desires. This selfless approach can make it difficult for characters to get what they want or pursue their own desires, as seen in the Accommodating style's low assertiveness score.
The Avoiding style, which scores low in assertiveness and high in uncooperativeness, often dodges conflict entirely. This style can lead to subtextual passive-aggression as tension builds in the silence and unresolved emotions linger, as seen in many literary works.
Understanding conflict management styles can help create nuanced character conflicts, making stories more engaging and relatable for readers. Much of what writers need to know about conflict comes down to character conflicts, as story conflict is a series of catalysts that cause characters to respond, creating a chain of story events. Story conflict is most commonly interpersonal conflict, whether active or passive.
To discover a character's dominant conflict style, writers can rate each statement on a scale of 1-5 in the Character Conflict Style Quiz. This can provide valuable insights into a character's behaviour and decisions, adding depth and realism to their portrayal.
In conclusion, the TKI model offers a valuable lens through which to view character conflicts in literature. By understanding these conflict management styles, writers can create more believable and engaging characters, driving the story forward through the conflicts they face.
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