Frame Reflection: Conflict Management (or Process) Frames

Process frames refer to the various ways in which individuals frame the available policy and conflict resolution processes in a given situation. Each person usually has their preferred way of approaching and handling the issue at hand, and favors those processes that may have worked in the past.

Because these frames can often get in the way of evaluating the worth of a particular process for the case at hand, we would like for you to reflect on how you evaluate the following policy or conflict resolution processes, in general.

Identify your level of agreement with the following processes:

Avoidance – A preference for doing nothing, letting the matter rest and work itself out

Fact-Finding – Recommendations for further investigation, collecting more information, getting scientific facts, conducting research on the problem

Joint Problem-Solving – A preference for community or joint action, common ground, mediation, collaboration, conciliation, and collective processes

Consensus – Community discussion, in which the group's consensus governs decision-making

Authority Decides Based on Expertise – Local authorities, agencies, institutions, or boards should make decisions, because they have the technical knowledge and expertise

Authority Decides after Consultation – Authorities, agencies, institutions, or boards make a decision, after they have talked with the stakeholders involved or other outside sources

Adjudication – Statements that imply that a third party should decide, such as an arbitrator, the courts, judges, or judicial authority

Appeal to Political Action – Recommendation to handle the problem through enacting or abolishing laws and regulations; this includes addressing the conflict through lobbying, referenda, electing people to offices, and legislative actions or appeals to state or federal agencies to enact, change, or abolish laws

Appeal to the Market Economy – Appeal to market solutions to solve disputes, usually couched in terms of freedom to choose, supply and demand, or privatization

Struggle, Sabotage, Violence – Statements that refer to continued fighting, civil disobedience, force, etc.

Litigation – All conflicts should be handled in a court of law

Mediation, arbitration, or negotiation – Any form of alternative dispute resolution practice not listed above