Every person has at least once found himself in a conflict situation, and not only with the outside world - those around him, but also, above all, with himself. And internal conflicts can easily develop into external ones. For a mentally healthy person, internal conflict that does not go beyond the norm is quite natural. Moreover, the situation of intrapersonal inconsistency and tension within certain limits is not only natural, but also necessary for the improvement and development of the individual himself. Any development cannot occur without internal contradictions (crises), and where there are contradictions, there is also a basis for conflict. And if an intrapersonal conflict occurs within the framework of reason, it is really necessary, because a moderate critical attitude towards one’s own “I”, dissatisfaction with oneself, as a powerful internal engine, forces a person to follow the path of self-actualization and self-improvement, thereby filling not only his own life with meaning, but also improving the world.
The scientific study of intrapersonal conflict began at the end of the 19th century and was associated primarily with the name of the founder of psychoanalysis - the Austrian scientist Sigmund Freud(1856 - 1939), who revealed the biosocial and biopsychological nature of intrapersonal conflict. He showed that human existence is associated with constant voltage And overcoming contradictions between socio-cultural norms and biological drives and desires of a person, between consciousness and the unconscious. According to Freud, the essence of intrapersonal conflict lies in this contradiction and constant confrontation between these parties. Within the framework of psychoanalysis, the theory of intrapersonal conflict was also developed by K. Jung, K. Horney and others.
The German psychologist made a great contribution to the study of the problem of intrapersonal conflict Kurt Lewin(1890-1947), who defined it as a situation in which a person Oppositely directed forces of equal magnitude act simultaneously. In this regard, he highlighted three type of conflict situation.
1. A person is between two positive forces approximately equal in size. “This is the case of Buridan’s donkey, located between two equal haystacks and dying of hunger.”
2. A person is between two approximately equal negative forces. A typical example is the situation of punishment. Example: on the one hand, a child must do a school task that he does not want to do, and on the other hand, he can be punished if he does not do it.
3. A person is simultaneously affected by two multidirectional forces approximately equal in size and in the same place. Example: a child wants to pet a dog, but he is afraid of it, or wants to eat cake, but he is forbidden.
The theory of intrapersonal conflict was subsequently developed in the works of representatives of humanistic psychology. One of the leaders in this direction is an American psychologist Carl Rogers(1902-1987). The fundamental component of personality structure, he believes, is “I -concept" - the individual’s idea of himself, the image of his own “I”, formed in the process of interaction of the individual with the environment. Self-regulation of human behavior occurs on the basis of the “I-concept”.
But the “I-concept” often does not coincide with the idea of ideal “I”. There may be a mismatch between them. This dissonance (mismatch) between the “I-concept”, on the one hand, and the ideal “I”, on the other, acts as intrapersonal conflict, the consequence of which can be severe mental illness.
The concept of intrapersonal conflict by one of the leading representatives of humanistic psychology, the American psychologist, has gained wide popularity. Abraham Maslow(1908-1968). According to Maslow, the motivational structure of a person is formed by a number of hierarchically organized needs (see here).
The highest is the need for self-actualization, that is, for the realization of a person’s potentials, abilities and talents. It is expressed in the fact that a person strives to be who he can become. But he doesn’t always succeed. Self-actualization as an ability may be present in most people, but only in a minority is it accomplished and realized. This gap between the desire for self-actualization and the actual result and underlies intrapersonal conflict.
Another very popular theory of intrapersonal conflict today was developed by an Austrian psychologist and psychiatrist. Viktor Frankl(1905-1997), who created a new direction in psychotherapy - logotherapy(from the gr. logos - thought, mind and gr. therapeia - treatment). According to his definition, logotherapy “is concerned with the meaning of human existence and the search for this meaning.”
According to Frankl's concept, the main driving force in the life of every person is his search for the meaning of life and the struggle for it. The lack of meaning in life gives rise to a state in a person that he calls an existential vacuum, or a feeling of aimlessness and emptiness. It is the existential vacuum that becomes the cause of intrapersonal conflict, which subsequently leads to “noogenic neuroses” (from the gr. noos - meaning).
According to the author of the theory, intrapersonal conflict in the form of noogenic neurosis arises due to spiritual problems and is caused by a disorder of the “spiritual core of personality,” which contains the meanings and values of human existence, which form the basis of individual behavior. Thus, noogenic neurosis is a disorder caused by an existential vacuum, a person’s lack of meaning in life.
It is the existential vacuum, the feeling of purposelessness and emptiness of existence that gives rise at every step to the existential frustration of the individual, most often manifested in boredom and apathy. Boredom is evidence of a lack of meaning in life, meaning-forming values, and this is already serious. Because finding the meaning of life is much more difficult and more important than wealth. In addition, need, for example, pushes a person to action and helps get rid of neuroses, while boredom associated with an existential vacuum, on the contrary, dooms him to inactivity and thereby contributes to the development of a psychological disorder.
Among the domestic scientists who made a significant contribution to the development of the problem under consideration, one should name A. N. Leontyeva(1903-1979), who with his theory about the role of objective activity in the formation of personality, he did a lot for understanding intrapersonal conflict.
According to his theory, the content and essence of intrapersonal conflict are determined by the nature of the structure of the personality itself. This structure, in turn, is caused by the contradictory relationships into which a person enters while carrying out various types of his activities. One of the most important characteristics of the internal structure of a personality is that any person, even if he has a leading motive for behavior and a main goal in life, does not necessarily live only by one goal or motive. The motivational sphere of a person, according to A. N. Leontyev, even in its highest development, never resembles a frozen pyramid. Figuratively speaking, the motivational sphere of the individual is always multi-vertex.
The contradictory interaction of these “peaks” of the motivational sphere, various motives of the individual, forms an intrapersonal conflict.
Consequently, intrapersonal conflict, naturally inherent in the internal structure of the personality, is a normal phenomenon. Every personality has internal contradictions and struggle between different aspirations. Usually this struggle takes place within normal limits and does not disturb the harmony of the individual. “After all, a harmonious personality is not at all a person who does not know any internal struggle.” But sometimes this struggle becomes the main thing that determines a person’s behavior and entire lifestyle. It is then that the consequences become an unhappy personality and an unfulfilled fate.
These are the causes of intrapersonal conflict. Definition of intrapersonal conflict: intrapersonal conflict is a state of personality structure when it simultaneously contains contradictory and mutually exclusive motives, value orientations and goals that it is currently unable to cope with, i.e. develop behavioral priorities based on them.
You can say it another way: intrapersonal conflict is a state of the internal structure of a personality, characterized by the confrontation of its elements.
Thus, the following properties of intrapersonal conflict can be distinguished:
1) intrapersonal conflict appears as a result of the interaction of elements of the internal structure of the personality;
2) the parties to an intrapersonal conflict are diverse and contradictory interests, goals, motives and desires simultaneously existing in the personality structure;
3) intrapersonal conflict arises only when the forces acting on the personality are equivalent. Otherwise, a person simply chooses the lesser of two evils, the greater of two goods, and prefers reward to punishment;
4) any internal conflict is accompanied by negative emotions;
5) the basis of any intrapersonal conflict is a situation characterized by:
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Intrapersonal conflict can cause both harm to the individual, driving self-development and self-affirmation to a dead end, and speed up the process of self-knowledge, forcing a person to mobilize all his capabilities.
The causes of the conflict, its possible consequences, recommendations for ways out of difficult intrapersonal situations are discussed in this article.
Intrapersonal conflict can be defined as the antagonism of positivism and negativism in the psyche of one subject.
A long-term struggle takes place in the inner world of the individual, the essence of which is reflected in contradictory relationships with society. A person cannot independently develop a style of behavior; he is torn by doubts about the choice between internal value guidelines and conflicting motives.
An example of such a conflict can be observed constantly: the choice between family and work, the dilemma between creating a love union based on calculation and feelings, etc.
Mutually exclusive goals, values, and interests can “coexist” in one person, which often leads to internal conflict. The individual finds it difficult to determine one or another decision and cannot be inclined to make a choice in a certain situation.
Lack of harmony between one’s personal “I” and external circumstances is the main indicator of intrapersonal conflicts.
A personal conflict situation that does not get out of control is natural and necessary for every mentally healthy person. This serves as a certain kind of engine for changing the outside world, correlating it with one’s moral and ethical standards, for self-improvement and strengthening work on oneself.
Intrapersonal conflict is individual manifestations in the following areas:
It is very difficult for people to adapt to changing situations; stress becomes a constant companion in the life of such members of society.
We can identify the characteristic signs of all intrapersonal conflicts:
Intrapersonal conflicts are classified only conditionally, because in a “pure” form, none of them is present within the individual. The psychological concepts of different authors on this topic may differ slightly from each other.
Based on what is the basis, the following intrapersonal conflicts are determined.
According to the value-motivational sphere of the individual:
According to social and consumer characteristics:
A conflict within a person that is significantly prolonged in time and characterized by tension in the psyche and nerves is called neurotic. It occurs with greater intensity and for much longer.
Intrapersonal conflicts can be divided into the following types:
Conflicts within a person can manifest themselves as:
All the reasons that lead to intrapersonal conflicts can be considered from three sides:
If a person cannot come to agreement within himself, contradictions may appear between different elements of his personal structure.
Internal conflict is directly dependent on the level of spiritual development. The higher the self-criticism and the ability to evaluate one’s actions, the greater the likelihood of conflicts.
The strength of influence of several factors on a person must be the same, otherwise a choice will be made in favor of the one that will not lead to a conflict situation (of two troubles, the one that is smaller is chosen).
External reasons are related to the role a person occupies in a certain group. Due to some factors, it becomes impossible to carry out one or another action that is significant for the individual (for example, it is impossible to arrive on time for an important meeting due to a multi-kilometer traffic jam, the negative attitude of the team towards the person).
The position of an individual in the macrosystem as a whole (economic, social system) can also run counter to a person’s internal attitudes.
The results of intrapersonal conflict can be both positive and negative.
Destructive indicators are a dead end in personal development, the first signs of degradation:
Unproductivity as a consequence of intrapersonal conflict can spread to relationships in society: <
It is important to see the danger of prolonged non-resolution of an intrapersonal conflict, because in this case a person may develop neurosis and frustration.
If a person does not receive qualified help in correcting his internal state in a timely manner, then there may be a danger of one type of conflict developing into another, more complex one – neurotic. 
The methods used to determine the conflict state within a person must be a whole complex, including standard tests and self-report of the subject.
For diagnostics, it is necessary to analyze the following parameters:
Timely diagnosis, especially in adolescence, when the whole organism is undergoing restructuring, will help to identify and correct, if necessary, intrapersonal conflict.
The impetus for personal development can be an internal conflict resolved positively. If the process is delayed, this can lead to neurotic reactions, cause suicidal behavior and contribute to the development of mental illness.
Therefore, it is so important to have an understanding of ways to resolve intrapersonal control:
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Total depression and regular, never-ending depression and lack of desire for self-development are symptoms characteristic of people who are unsure of their own abilities. Having addressed such problems to a psychologist, a professional will not be surprised and will offer various options for dealing with the situation. Less often, patients find themselves on the specialist’s couch who cannot understand their own thoughts. People who do not realize the scale of the differences that have emerged risk becoming regulars in psychiatric hospitals.
An internal conflict of a personality is a complex of contradictions that arise in a person at a subconscious level. This condition is perceived as an insoluble emotional problem. Some people cannot cope with oppressive circumstances on their own, succumbing to depression. and lack of rational thinking are other symptoms of a person having an intrapersonal conflict, a severe form of which leads to neurotic diseases. If the disagreement is not detected in time, then you can say goodbye to it forever. What to do in this situation? What techniques will help? How to understand your own thoughts?
If you find yourself in such a situation, it is important to first familiarize yourself with the terminology, because a classic session with a psychotherapist can only help in the early stages. People turn for help, as a rule, with a full-fledged problem that is thoroughly “settled” in the patient’s subconscious. In the 21st century, two groups of intrapersonal conflicts have been identified, which differ in the prerequisites for the emergence of mental disagreements:
The discrepancy between a person’s internal feelings and the foundations and rules of the surrounding world.
Disagreements with society or the presence of irritating factors that negatively affect the “vulnerable” personality.
Along with the options for the occurrence of intrapersonal misunderstandings, the scale of disagreements that appear in a person’s subconscious is distinguished:
The initial stage of a neurotic disease, during which a person encounters 1-2 disagreements within his own consciousness. If you do not find answers to the questions that arise in time, you can significantly aggravate the current situation. Misunderstandings develop into depression and stress, which gradually “consumes” a self-sufficient person.
Apathy towards life; long-term crisis.
Constant failures in professional activities and lack of career growth, troubles in communicating with friends and discord in the family - there are many reasons for the emergence of such a stage of intrapersonal conflict. A person susceptible to this disease experiences damage on all “fronts”. Due to regular losses, an individual’s self-esteem gradually decreases and faith in one’s own strength decreases. Over time, the patient stops thinking about positive “things”, complaining about the injustice of life.
The patient has a diagnosis of Multiple Personalities.
A striking example of this phenomenon is the story of Billy Milligan, a convict from the United States of America. The young man who found himself in the courtroom did not realize what was happening. Different people, differing in voices, habits and dialects, took turns talking to the jury in the person of the young man. The accused could gracefully express his own thoughts while flirting with government officials. After a second, his timbre became rough, he lit a cigarette and switched to prison vocabulary.
Numerous studies that were carried out in innovation laboratories of the 20th century confirmed that the young man was diagnosed with “Multiple Personalities.” In the guy’s mind, twenty-four full-fledged people simultaneously coexisted - young children and adult women, atheists and believers, former prisoners and political figures. This phenomenon is considered the extreme stage of intrapersonal disagreements and misunderstandings.
Having become familiar with the possible options for the development of mental illness, it is important to correctly diagnose the problem by determining the cause of mental disagreements. In modern society, people often turn to professionals for help for the following reasons:
Application of favorite behavioral strategies in an unfamiliar situation. The method used does not work, and uncertainty settles in the person’s mind. On the one hand, such a method had already helped him, but from another perspective it turned out to be invalid.
Inability to make timely fundamental and responsible decisions that will affect the outcome of events.
Lack of adequate information to help “soberly” assess the current situation. At such a moment, a million options appear in the subconscious of the individual, which the person begins to sort out.
Systematic “defeats” or dissatisfaction with one’s own way of life. The patient does not understand why he is haunted by failures, because he is a talented, educated and interesting person.
Isolation and lack of communication with real people are the most common reasons for the emergence of imaginary friends in the subconscious with whom you can argue and talk.
Childhood grievances or self-esteem problems that arise in people who are unsure of their own abilities.
Unmanageable obligations that appear on the “shoulders” of a person. When trying to solve a problem that is beyond the individual’s control, a moment of disappointment invariably comes.
Hopelessness is the main reason for a person to make “friends” on a subconscious level. If the patient cannot influence the result, then he tries to project it in his own head, enlisting the support of his newly made “comrades.”
If from the above reasons you have not found a similar option, then only a practicing psychologist can help in this situation. Only a professional who has already had experience working with people suffering from intrapersonal disagreements can diagnose the prerequisites. Do not think that the absence of your dilemma among the listed reasons is a reason to calm down. People will not read this article out of idle interest.
Despite the danger of a person developing a severe form of neurotic disease, intrapersonal conflict is an excellent opportunity to rethink values by adjusting one’s own worldview. Practitioners working with such patients identify the following positive changes in the psyche of people who have coped with disagreements:
Forced mobilization of hidden personal resources, with the help of which it is possible to solve the emerging problem.
A “sober” look from the outside at what is desired and what is real, haunting the patient’s inner world.
, because a person copes with a serious mental disorder by overcoming a number of fears.
The patient develops rational thinking, which helps him make decisions in controversial and especially difficult situations.
Knowledge of one’s own “I”, improving a person’s attitude towards society.
In the process of searching for a solution to a problem, brilliant thoughts appear and effective ways to realize hidden potential are found.
The main thing is to contact a psychologist in time, who can correctly diagnose the cause of internal disagreements. It is extremely rare for people susceptible to neurotic illness to solve such a problem on their own. Too many subconscious “interlocutors” are present in the patient’s head, directing the true personality along the wrong path.
If a person who has mental disorders refuses to visit a specialist’s office, then you can try to change the course of events on your own. However, it will not be possible to do without the help of close relatives, spouse or friends. It becomes possible to resolve the emerging dispute if you use the useful recommendations of psychologists in time:
Choosing a compromise solution that involves eliminating internal disagreement. Where to go: football or basketball? Feel free to choose volleyball without creating a seed of doubt in your mind.
Change your own attitude towards the object of dispute. What to buy for dinner: sausage or cheese? In this situation, prefer sandwiches with sausage and cheese, taking a small amount of both products from the counter.
Consciously refuse to solve the problem that has arisen, closing your “eyes” to internal contradictions. Leave the choice to fate, which is not characterized by long-term confusion.
Push unacceptable thoughts out of your consciousness by refusing to realize them (this is how William Stanley Milligan was cured).
Adjust your own worldview to achieve the desired result. Adapt to the circumstances, but do not take this strategy as a rule. 
Some psychologists suggest that patients idealize the problem, succumb to fantasies and abandon reality. The illusory world is beautiful, which means you will gain. However, most professionals question the effectiveness of this technique.
Make it a rule to repeat on a subconscious level during difficult periods of life the following phrase: “There are no hopeless situations.”
Learn to make your own choices without thinking for a long time about possible outcomes in the current situation. Guided by the above tips and enlisting the support of loved ones, you can change the usual course of events. The main thing is to really want to get rid of internal disagreements by showing willpower and fortitude.
Awareness of the scale of the conflict is the first step towards recovery, which is worth being proud of. Identifying the true cause is the second stage, helping to determine the source of the fire. Finding a solution and getting rid of internal disagreements is the third step, which is especially difficult to climb. However, at the end of the energy-consuming journey, a pleasant reward awaits you - peace of mind.
3 February 2014, 12:36Conflict– this is always a conflict of interests. It’s painful, unpleasant, but what is external conflict compared to the “torment of the soul.” It is painful and unbearable, but on the other hand, making a choice is the exclusive privilege of a person. We all have internal conflicts that indicate a meeting within a person of two opposing and mutually exclusive tendencies seeking satisfaction. We want to relax and have fun, but we urgently need to help a sick loved one. We want to earn money for a car, but our internal attitude says: earning money for yourself is selfishness.
Often our internal needs and desires collide with the interests of the people around us. We feel an inner duty and call to defend our Motherland, and our family requires our protection and care. We may be torn between societal expectations and personal interests. And there are a huge number of such collisions in our lives. They bring a lot of anxiety and fear into our lives. Loss of internal supports and personal identity.
It is surprising that many people are not aware of their internal conflicts. They do not make conscious choices in their lives and go with the flow, enter into compromises, make choices that are not their own and live a life that is not their own. They endure apathy and boredom of life.
Karen Horney identifies four abilities that lead to understanding and resolving one's internal conflicts:
1. The ability to realize our desires and feelings (i.e., do we really like this person, this job, this business, or is it just instilled in us).
2. The ability to develop one’s own beliefs and values, because a large number of internal conflicts are associated with faith and moral values (practicing philosophy especially helps in this matter).
3. The ability to abandon one of the conflicting and contradictory beliefs.
4. And finally, the willingness and ability to take responsibility for your decision. This point also includes the risk of making the wrong decision and the willingness to share the consequences without blaming others.
Conscious participation in our own internal conflicts, although it can bring suffering, actually fills our lives with greater fullness, integrity, satisfaction and happiness.
We look at some people with envy, because they seem so stable, organic and complete to us. And yes, there are strong people who are well aware of their value system and make choices based on their beliefs, feelings and desires. And resolving internal conflicts does not have a destructive effect on them. But there is another situation when external stability rather speaks of internal apathy, conformism and opportunism, rather than resilience in the face of the serious challenges of life.
A healthy person is able to face and resolve his internal conflicts, which gives him strength and resilience. The conflicts of a neurotic are a different matter. Neurotics have a very difficult time recognizing their feelings and desires. Neurotic conflicts are much more difficult to resolve without a specialist. But we will talk about what a neurotic conflict is in the next article.
