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Lewis Coser The Functions Of Conflict

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The function of the conflict, according to Lewis Coser, is reinforcing group solidarity, including serving as a safety-valve, channeling tensions in constructive ways rather than letting them build up to such a point that when conflict is unleashed, it is unleashed with destructive force (211). In other words, Coser, argued that the function of conflict serves as a solution to unite a group or help reestablish unity where it has been threatened by an unfriendly feeling among the members of the group. However, this might not always be the case, due to the fact that it depends on the type of social structure that the group consists of. In sum, conflicts serves several functions, which include social change, innovation, and an increase of power to a group.
Unfortunately, conflict within a group is inevitable. Social conflict is a part of life. In every type of social structure, there are occasions for conflict, since individuals and subgroups are likely to make from time to time rival claims to scarce resource, prestige or power positions (211). Therefore, scare resources produce conflict in all types of social structures, although many of the social structures might respond quite differently, considering its structure. It all depends on the social structure and how much tolerance it has for the conflict. For instance, close knit relationships have greater immunity to conflicts, however, when a conflict does bypass, it has a catastrophic effect on the social structure.

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