Intragroup conflict

In: sociology,^[1] group dynamics,^[2] intragroup conflict refers to conflict,^[1] confrontation, disagreement^[3] between two or more members of the same group or team^[1] the consequence or result of which could be either positive (beneficial) or negative.^[4] The term infighting has a similar usage^[5][6] of inner-group disagreement but with the combatative connotation, fighting, ^{[a] [7][6]} the dynamics of which are termed agonistic behaviour.^{[9][10] [b]}Usage of the term internecine fighting as intragroup includes war.^{[13] [c]}

Subject development

Thucydides wrote on the subject of ancient Greek communities eristic dialogue.^{[17] [d]} The Politics of Aristotle ^[19] (of Stagira) ^[20] uses the ^[19] Attic Greek^[21] term stasis ^[19] (ΣΤΑΣΙΣ),^[22] a political conflict,^[23] translated by some modern authors as civil war^[24] (which though is an analog^[25]) occuring within city-states of ancient Greece.^{[24] [e]}

In the years leading up to 2008, intragroup conflict has received a large amount of attention in conflict and group dynamics literature.^[28] This increase in interest in studying intragroup conflict may be a natural corollary of the ubiquitous use of work groups and work teams across all levels of organizations, including decision-making task forces, project groups, or production teams.^[29]

Antecedents

There are a number of antecedents of intragroup conflict. While not an exhaustive list, researchers have identified a number of antecedents of intragroup conflict, including low task or goal uncertainty,^[30] increased group size,^[31] increased diversity (i.e., gender, age, race),^[32][33] lack of information sharing,^[34] and high task interdependence.^[35]

Types

The American Psychological Association determines the existence of three such intra-conflictual problems in team organisations: process, relationship, task.^[3]

Measuring

Jehn^[36] developed the Intragroup Conflict Scale (ICS) to measure two types of intragroup conflicts (i.e., task and relationship conflict). The ICS consists of eight 7-point Likert scale items which assess intragroup conflict. This scale has been applied in a number of contexts including decision making groups^[37] and groups in the moving industry.^[38] Furthermore, this scale has high construct and predictive validity.^[39]

Group outcomes

Effects of intragroup conflict on group performance or outcome is moderated by a number of factors including the context under which it is examined and the type of outcome.^[40] According to one study, task conflict has a less negative relationship (and at times even positive) with group performance and outcomes than believed previously.^[40] The results of the study also showed that intragroup conflict is not always negative or detrimental to group performance; for example, task conflict has been related positively to group performance and outcomes when such conflict occurs in management groups.^[40]

See also

• Group conflict
• Narcissism of small differences
• Vote-splitting
• Lateral violence

Notes

1. The current word definition including: Fighting or boxing at close range,^[7] originated in Old English as an attack within a dwelling.^[8]
2. The term originating in the ancient Greek ^[11] ἀγών ^[12] (agon) ^[11][12]
3. from internecinus (which is Latin) ^[14] from Cic. Phil. 14 ^[15]

   ^[16]M. Tullius Cicero:

   M. ANTONIVM ORATIO PHILIPPICA QVARTA DECIMA:

   gratae vero nostrae dis immortalibus gratulationes erunt, gratae victimae, cum interfecta sit civium multitudo! 'de improbis' inquit 'et audacibus.'

   nam sic eos appellat clarissimus vir: quae sunt urbanarum maledicta litium, non inustae belli internecini notae.

   testamenta, credo, subiciunt aut eiciunt vicinos aut adulescentulos circumscribunt: his enim vitiis adfectos et talibus malos aut audacis appellare consuetudo solet.

4. In the modern sense, at least, this type of argument could include specious reasoning^[18]
5. In Argos members of a democratic group killed both the leaders of their own group and members of a differing political group.^[26] The Aristotle description of stasis includes "within like-minded groups". (Skultety 2019) ^[27]