The Struggle Spectrum

The Struggle Spectrum¹

Developed by John “Sam” Keltner, mediator and former OSU professor.
Keltner sees struggle as a metaphor for conflict.

Six Stages of Struggle
1. Mild Difference
2. Disagreement
3. Dispute
4. Campaign
5. Litigation
6. Fight or War

Mild Difference-----Disagreement-----Dispute-----Campaign-----Litigation-----War

According to Keltner...

Struggles can be entered into at any stage.
Stages can be skipped.
De-escalation is possible at every stage.

Mild Difference
Elements (conditions)

Problem-solving behavior:	Joint problem-solving
Orientation to each other:	Cooperative & amicable
Communication:	Open-friendly
Decision-making	Mutual decisions
Intervention possibilities:	None needed

Disagreement
Elements (conditions)

Problem-solving behavior: Contentions over choices

Orientation to each other: Conciliatory

Communication: Open but strained

Decision-making Joint decisions & agreements

Intervention possibilities: Mediation by neutral party

Dispute
Elements (conditions)

Problem-solving behavior: Rational proof and game playing

Orientation to each other: Win-lose and hostile

Communication: Limited and tense

Decision-making Joint in mediation; 3rd party in arbitration

Intervention possibilities: Mediation or arbitration

Campaign
Elements (conditions)

Problem-solving behavior: Emotional and logical strategies

Orientation to each other: Win-lose and estranged

Communication: Restricted and planned

Decision-making Vote by constituents or a 3rd party

Intervention possibilities: Arbitration or election-vote

Litigation
Elements (conditions)

Problem-solving behavior: Selective proofs before judge

Orientation to each other: Win-lose and alienated

Communication: Blocked and controlled

Decision-making 3rd party courtroom - judge decision

Intervention possibilities: Arbitration, judge, or jury

Fight or War
Elements (conditions)

Problem-solving behavior: Violence

Orientation to each other: Irreconcilable

Communication: Closed except for violent acts

Decision-making Each seeks control by force

Intervention possibilities: Force of police, militia, or military

Considerations

Does the struggle spectrum account for culture?
Does the SS apply to all conflict situations?
Does the SS imply that conflicts evolve in a linear manner?

¹ Thanks to Janet Harrison, Director of Linn County VORP and Community Mediation, who prepared these materials while a master's degree student at Oregon State University.

Problem-solving behavior:	Contentions over choices
Orientation to each other:	Conciliatory
Communication:	Open but strained
Decision-making	Joint decisions & agreements
Intervention possibilities:	Mediation by neutral party

Problem-solving behavior:	Rational proof and game playing
Orientation to each other:	Win-lose and hostile
Communication:	Limited and tense
Decision-making	Joint in mediation; 3rd party in arbitration
Intervention possibilities:	Mediation or arbitration

Problem-solving behavior:	Emotional and logical strategies
Orientation to each other:	Win-lose and estranged
Communication:	Restricted and planned
Decision-making	Vote by constituents or a 3rd party
Intervention possibilities:	Arbitration or election-vote

Problem-solving behavior:	Selective proofs before judge
Orientation to each other:	Win-lose and alienated
Communication:	Blocked and controlled
Decision-making	3rd party courtroom - judge decision
Intervention possibilities:	Arbitration, judge, or jury

Problem-solving behavior:	Violence
Orientation to each other:	Irreconcilable
Communication:	Closed except for violent acts
Decision-making	Each seeks control by force
Intervention possibilities:	Force of police, militia, or military