Studying Trajectories of Conflict Escalation

A dynamic systems theory of intrateam conflict contagion.

“…Bifurcations have been discussed in a variety of contexts related to interpersonal conflict. For instance, Bui-Wrzosinska et al (2013) demonstrated that the level of conflict can remain remarkably stable prior to reaching a threshold of escalatory behavior but escalate rapidly after that threshold is exceeded. In a related study, Dimas et al (2018) found evidence for rapid increases in the negative relationship between conflict and job satisfaction based on the type of conflict management strategy used to address the conflict.…”

“…Although there are many ways to formalize theories, we built a computational model that represented our propositions as ODEs because they can evaluate dynamic properties such as feedback loops, cycles, and convergence to equilibria, which enables assessments of nonlinear properties relevant to contagions such as rapid escalation and de-escalation 2 . Furthermore, ODEs can help connect our model to existing epidemiological (e.g., Kermack & McKendrick, 1927) and conflict models (e.g., Bui-Wrzosinska et al, 2013; Vallacher et al, 2010) that also utilize ODEs. Finally, ODEs are highly consistent with discrete-time models common in the organizational literature 3 (DeShon, 2012), which facilitates future empirical validation of our computational model.…”

“…First, we provide insight into the dynamic properties of contagion. Although most of the empirical and theoretical representations of team conflict contagion are cross sectional, many researchers agree that the flow of conflict within groups changes over time (e.g., Bui-Wrzosinska et al, 2013; Coleman et al, 2007; Cronin & Bezrukova, 2019; Vallacher et al, 2010). By developing a dynamic process theory of conflict contagion, we can represent properties of stable (e.g., equilibrium) and unstable conflicts (e.g., cycles), as well as rapid accelerations and decelerations in conflict engagement.…”