Q4: Social Conflict (III)

The Story so Far

The Q4 Arena, based on applying dualistic and unified paradigms, deals with fitting in to a group with am entrenched divisive social conflict as explained in the introduction. The 7 different ways in which it is possible to navigate such a conflict in order to fit in were then developed here, and plotted on a Typology Essentials Table (TET). A spiral dealing with strengthening comfort with the situation could then be developed here.

Determinants of Orienting to a Social Conflict (Q4CHK)

The Tree framework for orientation indicates the near-simultaneous use of all the factors examined in the TET and Spiral. It is likely the way most people will think of fitting in. In bringing the various Centres to life, a person needs to be imbued with a respectful spirit. While there may be disagreement and acrimonious episodes, denigration of colleagues and constant in-fighting are in no-one's interest. Respect for differences is vital in managing the situation.

A Tree framework can be created from the Q-Spiral by focusing on the essence of each of the 7 modes as they might emerge in actual situations. This reveals a dynamic duality as well as influences between the determinants.

ClosedApplication of the Dynamic Duality

Trees are about actual activity in a social milieu. As a result modes/levels are converted to Centres by application of the dynamic duality, which is personal v social i.e. whether your functioning is essentially determined or controlled by:

  • the person with their interests and preferences: given subscript P

    or
  • the socio-physical milieu with its factors and requirements: given subscript S

    or
  • an indivisible combination of these: given subscript B for balanced.

In the case of bipolar levels, the dominant Centre is placed on the right.

Protecting Yourself in the Group: L1-L4

The lower pole of the internal duality appears to be "protect yourself in the group". It corresponds to the inner circle of the TET ("immediate, unambiguous, and direct" ways of navigating), and Cycle-1 of the Spiral for becoming comfortable ("taking a stance").

Level 1: You have no control over the existence of a division in the group but you are in control of acknowledging the division, and these two factors cannot be disentangled.

So the Centre is balanced and named:  L1B-Acknowledge Division.

Level 2: In a similar fashion, factions exist in the group as a social phenomenon, but you control identification. The two aspects cannot be disentangled.

So the Centre is balanced and named:  L2B-Identify Factions.

Level 3: Each faction will have its own perspective on the conflict and the division. While their narratives are not under your control, you can compare them. You can also, quite independently, forge your own perspective on the conflict and division.

So there are two Centres here named:

L3P-Forge Your Own Perspective

&

L3S-Compare Factional Narratives

The two poles naturally influence each other with your personal perspective appearing to be dominant.

Level 4: Taking sides is both under your control and a function of the social milieu that defines the sides.

So the Centre is balanced and named:  L4B-Take Sides.

Preserving the Group: L5-L7

The upper pole of the internal duality appears to be "preserve the group". It corresponds to the outer circle of the TET ("context-sensitive, longer-term and distancing" ways) and Cycle-2 of the Spiral ("protecting the group").

Level 5: In evoking solidarity, it is necessary to support something over which you have no control: namely, the diversity of members and the differences of opinions which are natural in any group that is not autocratically governed. However, you can control affirmation of the importance of coexistence despite such differences.

So there are two Centres here named:

L5P-Affirm the Need for Coexistence.

&

L5S-Support Intra-group Diversity

The two poles naturally influence each other with support for intra-group diversity appearing to be dominant.

Level 6: In highlighting consequences, your focus is on the infighting between the group's factions. You have no control over the state of the group, much less the consequences. However, you do control considering what the entrenched conflict means for yourself.

So there are two Centres here named:

L6P-Consider Personal Implications.

&

L6S-Highlight Consequences for the Group

The two poles naturally influence each other with highlighting group consequences appearing to be dominant.

Level 7: Maintaining the status quo is partly under your control and partly a function of others in the group whom you cannot control.

So the Centre is balanced and named:  L7B-Maintain the Status Quo.

Psychosocial Pressures

All psychosocial pressures are underpinned by acceptability as the driving force intrinsic to the Change-RL3 domain. This is not shown in the diagrams below.

First there is well-being (1°) based on the Q4 position.

(Autonomy, 2° in the Q4 position, is not shown in the diagrams below.)

Then, as listed here, understanding (1° from Dualistic paradigm-PH'3L4) in the lower half, and acceptability (1° from Unified paradigm-PH'3L5) in the upper half.

The duplication of acceptability is noteworthy.

The requisite and self-interested Trees (below) show level by level pressures based on the Spiral pattern (see left Tree) and Tree structure i.e. Root Hierarchy (see right Tree).

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Determinants of sociability: Tree pattern Q1 Self-centred handling of dterminants of sociability: Tree pattern Q5

 

Originally posted: 26-Jan-2026.