PROVERBISM AS A SOCIAL CONSTRUCT FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Abstract

Conflict is a natural phenomenon that exists among humans in general, it can exist between husband and wife, parents and children, as well as among siblings. Conflict could be as a result of competition for power, greed, hatred, wickedness, selfishness, jealousy, gossip and for no reason, conflict can generate. It can even generate out of incompatibility. It is a social event and an integral part of human existence. Conflict is a kind of balm that sustains relationship and makes it last long; as such, conflict should be managed with caution and rationality. So, conflict is always expected but the management of conflict is where the problem lies. Social construct reflects shared ideas or perceptions about the way humans understand the world through historical process of interaction and negotiations. This study is of the view that conflict can be solved using proverbs because proverbs are constructed by the society as such this study examines fifteen (15) randomly selected Igbo proverbs used as social construct in resolving conflict. The data were collected in both planned and unplanned settings. The data were analysed using Anna Freud and Hartmann’s model of Psychoanalytic theory because it will help to analyse the defences and views of people that are involved in the conflict then using the right choice of proverbs to appeal to their minds, reasoning and conscience. Results show that proverbs are drawn from the activities of the society and as such are very effective in conflict resolution because the members of the society have placed it like that and also the societal norms, practices, values, etc are enshrined in proverbs. Proper application of right choice of proverbs in conflict situations should be embraced.