3To resolve interpersonal conflicts, it is necessary to understand the other person's point of view. One way to understand where others are coming from is by doing psychodrama. In psychodrama, you become an actor who plays himself as well as the other people involved in the situation. By playing others, you get to understand their viewpoint. That can help you not only resolve the conflict, but become a more broad minded person, able to deal with a varied array of characters in the world.
- How to Use Psychodrama to Resolve Interpersonal ConflictsSettle yourself in a comfortable environment when you are alone, such as your living room or kitchen in the evening, after work. Choose a time when you don't need to be in a rush, but can devote as much time to the process as necessary, say, at least a half an hour.Now set up two chairs facing each other, one which you will sit in when you are playing yourself, and one which you will sit in when you are playing the person you are having the conflict with.First, sit in the chair in which you will play yourself. Face the other chair, and imagine the person you are having the conflict with sitting in that other chair. Tell him or her everything you have to say about your point of view. Since you are alone, it will be okay for you to talk out loud like this. If you feel angry and want to yell at the imaginary other person, that is okay. Express how you are feeling.When you are through, switch chairs and play the role of the other person. As that other person, tell the "you" who is sitting in the first chair exactly how you feel, as that other person. Try to really get into the role, feel what that other person is feeling, talk like him or her, really express his or her point of view.Once that "other person" has expressed everything in his or her heart, switch chairs again and go back to playing yourself. Answer the "other person." Keep on switching back and forth, allowing both characters to say what they each need to say.You may stop the psychodrama when the "two characters" have come to understand one another thoroughly. Perhaps one will give in to the other, perhaps not. In any case, now when you meet the other person in real life, you will know much more about him or her and understand him or her better and what he or she wants from you. That will put you in a much better position to negotiate and resolve the conflict. It will also make you into a more empathic person.
