Strengthening Science, Clinical Practice, and our Community through Disagreement

The field of psychological science calls upon us to debate, critique, and resolve differences for the betterment of individuals, communities, and societies because critical thinking and a diversity of perspectives are key to our field and the advancement of human knowledge. We are highly adept at managing and resolving conflict in the classroom, the therapy room, grant review meetings, and editorial panels. However, our field is not immune from the heightened conflict seen in society and this discord can creep into our academic institutions, healthcare facilities, and professional organizations resulting in division. As we strive to lead the way in welcoming, respecting, and elevating diverse professionals into our field, we are naturally likely to experience more disagreement. Learning to resolve conflict within our own field is critical. Without this, we will face higher levels of stress, demoralization, and irritability, breaking down the cohesion we desperately need when healthcare and science face unprecedented challenges. Moreover, at a systems-level, organizations with unresolved conflicts experience increased rates of turnover, reduced quality of work, and lower morale (Dellifraine et al., 2014; McKaty et al., 2008). Loss of cohesion can increase negative behavior patterns with one another which can include overwork, isolation, and blocking career and/or grant opportunities (Averbuch et al., 2021; Moss et al., 2022). But there is hope! We can improve our ability to have rigorous scientific conflicts and resolve them in a way that honors individual human experiences and enables collegial cohesion and accountability.

This workshop will pull from literature to empower attendees with the internal reflection and concrete skills to enact change on an individual level and advocate for sustained systemic change. As being an ally/advocate requires action, this workshop will call upon our therapeutic skills to hear and integrate diverse perspectives while resolving conflict in a manner that is in line with our professional value of bettering the human condition through scientific knowledge (Arif et al., 20022; Dellifraine et al., 2014; DeSouza, 2024; Keashly, 2010). Since skill building is best done through modeling and rehearsal, this workshop will have participants work together to discuss, reflect, and resolve conflicts presented through vignettes. Facilitators will ask questions to foster participant conversation between participants as they brainstorm how they would intervene in the presented vignettes. The session will end with a debrief and actionable steps (pulling from participant responses and evidence-based approaches) one can take at individual and organizational levels to work toward change in a DEIAJ focused manner

This session does not offer continuing education credits.