The Five Percent Finding Solutions to Seemingly Impossible Conflicts By Peter Coleman

1. The Five PercentFinding Solutions to Seemingly Impossible ConflictsBy Peter Coleman Abigail Perkinson, Chianna Bono, Sara Hicks and Fariah Zainuddin

2. Introduction A Clip

3. What is the “five percent?” • “Experts estimate that about 5 percent of our more difficult conflicts become intractable: highly destructive, never ending, and  virtually impossible to solve” (13). • Five percent conflicts are typically “immune” to classic resolution approaches.  • They are more difficult, unique, not easy to comprehend.  • “The five percent rule us. Once we are drawn in, they take control” (13)

4. Tell Tale Signs that You’re in Five Percent Conflict: 1) “You find yourself denying or discounting any and all positive information about your opponent 2) You feel overwhelming resistance (from yourself and others) to act differently toward your opponent” (57)

5. Comparisons

6. Model of Intractable Conflict The Conflict ↵

7. Model of Intractable Conflict Constructive Deconstructive

8. What does this mean? • Attractor A wide • Attractor A hears positive input about conflicting side then construes it to fit preconceived negative notions. • Attractor B is much deeper and narrower than attractor A • Attractor B translates as a stronger attractor and therefore harder to get out of • Positions and interests go unchanged causing for stronger conflict.

9. Similar Theories Narratives (Cobb)–addressed by 57 factors of conflict Ripeness Theory (Zartman)/Readiness Theory (Pruitt) Structural and Cultural Violence (Galtung)

10. Theories that Should not Apply Basic Human Needs Theory (Burton) Problem Solving Workshops Structural and Cultural Violence (Galtung)

11. Strengths

12. Limitations of Other Approaches • Static • Linear • Short-term • Emotions • Simplistic • Complicated

13. Dynamic Systems Theory Looking at the “entire forest instead of just the trees”

14. Multidisciplinary • Anthropology, physics, political science, international affairs and other types of psychology • Case studies, past and current research

15. His Model • Establishes features of 5% • Unique customized strategy

16. Analysis • Accurate analysis • Visualize: mathematics and software's • Identify entry point

17. Weaknesses

18. Though Coleman’s work identifies and provides insight into the alleviation of what he believes is a rare and intractable conflict, his work leaves room for: 1) Further elaboration and detailing 2) Acknowledgment and just identification of “traditional” conflict and conflict theories.

19. 1) “Can one definitively say that the intractable conflict occurs five percent of the time?” 2) “Are the minority characteristics labeled by Coleman truly unique to the five percent?” 3) “When identifying the “standard approaches” which fail to effectively resolve the five percent, is Coleman not failing to recognize the work of major influencers in the field of conflict resolution?”

20. “Can one definitively say that the intractable conflict occurs five percent of the time?” Coleman states that “Experts estimate that about 5 percent of our more difficult conflicts become intractable: highly destructive, never ending, and virtually impossible to solve” (13). Devotes book to the explanation of the five percent minority conflict, but other than reference neglects to provide detail on how estimated number was quantified. Includes examples of in-home five percent conflicts, yet how can one determine the frequency of intractable conflict within one’s personal life? How is this measured?

21. “Are the minority characteristics labeled by Coleman truly unique to the five percent?” • “Five Percent” Source Identified by Coleman: • “Five percent problems are the result of complex systems dynamics created by many different elements interrelated in a web-like fashion that come together in one strong, coherent conflict” (46). • A common source in many conflicts?

22. “Five Percent” Consequence Identified by Coleman: • “But the most insidious consequence of these conflicts is the normalization of hostilities and violence in families, workplaces, and societies and the toll they take. This can range from psychological violence such as insults, social isolation, noncommunication, and public humiliation to physical violence such as the destruction of property, direct physical attacks, police or military engagement, or much worse” (40). • Again, a common consequence in many conflicts?

23. “When identifying the “standard approaches” which fail to effectively resolve the five percent, is Coleman not failing to recognize the work of major influencers in the field of conflict resolution?” Coleman labels the “top ten limitations to standard approaches to social-science research,” which include: 3. “They privilege short term” - “Most of the research on negotiation, mediation, and other forms of conflict resolution today is short term” (30). COUNTERPOINT: Protracted Social Conflict, Azar 5. “They marginalize emotions” - “Yet decades of research on social conflict has paid little attention to emotions” (31). COUNTERPOINT: Frustration-Aggression Theory, Dollard et al.

24. In Sum Coleman’s work is certainly groundbreaking and innovative, but his theory does in fact contain holes. Suggested areas of improvement include: Further elaboration of how “five percent” is quantified, specifically in a home setting. Acknowledgment that areas of “five percent” and the other ninety-five percent of conflict do have overlapping attributes. They’re not always unique to the five percent. Due credit to those whom he overlooked when addressing gaps in conflict research and theory. (Fixing of the “straw man fallacy”)

25. Applicability and Usefulness

26. A Conflict In choosing a conflict of topic to focus application of the five percent model onto, I decided to introspect, and analyze a personal conflict in my mind, that can be characterized as intractable.

27. Characteristics of the Five Percent 

28. Identification: Essences Identify the particular intrapersonal conflict by defining it as intractable, getting to know it's "essences"

29. Analysis Analyze it to understand its nature

30. Grievances Understand the root issues of the problem

31. Inequalities Address inequality of both parties of the mind

32. Co-Existing  Address how each party will live with the other, co-exist. What is the overarching deciding factor in founding the solution?

33. Success

34. Conclusion