Resolving conflict in groups is predicated on what?

• A. Resolving conflict in groups is mainly about enforcing one side's goals.
• B. Resolving conflict in groups is predicated on reaching an agreement that satisfies goals while maintaining relationships.
• C. Resolving conflict in groups ignores relationships to achieve goals.
• D. Resolving conflict in groups relies on external mediation only.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is balancing task goals with the health of relationships. In group work, you want solutions that move the group forward while keeping members able to work together smoothly in the future. A resolution that only imposes one side’s goals tends to create resentment and resistance, which undermines collaboration long term. On the other hand, focusing only on relationships at the expense of achieving concrete goals can lead to avoiding difficult decisions and stalled progress. The strongest outcomes come from an agreement that meets core interests for the people involved and preserves trust, respect, and cooperation. In practice, this means collaborative problem‑solving: uncovering underlying needs, generating options, using fair criteria to assess them, and facilitating a process that all can buy into, with mediation or facilitation when needed.