Meaning, Types and Causes of Conflict and Types of Conflict, including Nature of Conflict for JSS 1

Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: 12 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Social and Citizenship Studies
Curriculum Theme: Civic Responsibilities and Social Justice
Focal competence: Display good behaviours and show responsible citizenship by exercising their rights and duties in school, home and community
Key competencies/values: Communication; Collaboration; Information literacy; Respect
Skills:

• Explain types of conflict

Previous Lesson: Meaning of Crime and Insecurity and Types of Crimes, Types and Crime Prevention and Control
Topic: Conflict In Our Society
Subject Matter: Meaning of conflict, Types of conflict, Causes of conflict, Nature of conflict

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Define conflict.
• Identify the types of conflict.
• State the causes of conflict.
• Explain types of conflict.
• Identify selected areas or contexts of conflict in Nigeria.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of understanding conflict.
• Show willingness to discuss conflict-related issues.
• Develop respect for different perspectives on conflict.

Psychomotor Domain

• Participate in developing information cards about types of conflict.
• Present examples of conflict scenarios.

Social Domain

• Collaborate with peers during group activities.
• Communicate ideas effectively during discussions.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Social and Citizenship Studies for Junior Secondary Schools 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Posters showing different conflict situations
• Documentary video clips on conflict resolution (if available)
• Chart illustrating types and causes of conflict
• Pictures depicting various conflicts
• Newspapers and magazines with conflict-related headlines
• Information cards for group activity

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because it helps students understand the nature of disagreements and disputes that occur in society. By learning about conflict, its types, and causes, students can develop skills to identify, analyse, and potentially resolve conflicts peacefully. This knowledge fosters responsible citizenship and promotes social harmony within their communities.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of social interactions and the concept of living together in a community.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Conflict In Our Society

Meaning of Conflict

Conflict refers to a serious disagreement or argument, typically a prolonged one. It arises when two or more individuals or groups have opposing interests, needs, values, or goals, leading to friction and tension.

Types of Conflict

Conflict can manifest in various forms. The main types include:

1. Intrapersonal Conflict: This occurs within an individual, involving a struggle between their own thoughts, feelings, or desires. For example, deciding between two good options.
2. Interpersonal Conflict: This is a disagreement between two or more individuals. It can happen between friends, family members, or colleagues over personal issues or differences in opinion.
3. Intragroup Conflict: This type of conflict occurs within a single group or team. Members of the same group may disagree on tasks, leadership, or how to achieve a common goal.
4. Intergroup Conflict: This involves disputes between different groups. Examples include conflicts between different communities, departments in an organisation, or rival gangs.
5. Organisational Conflict: This occurs within an organisation, often due to disagreements over policies, resources, power, or communication breakdowns.
6. International Conflict: This involves disagreements or disputes between different countries or states, often leading to diplomatic tensions or even warfare.

Causes of Conflict

Conflicts arise from various factors. Some common causes include:

1. Scarcity of Resources: When resources like land, water, money, or jobs are limited, competition for them can lead to conflict. For example, disputes over fertile land among farmers.
2. Differences in Values and Beliefs: People hold different moral, religious, or political beliefs. When these fundamental values clash, it can cause deep-seated conflicts.
3. Poor Communication: Misunderstandings, lack of clear information, or refusal to listen can escalate simple disagreements into full-blown conflicts.
4. Personality Clashes: Individuals with incompatible personalities or communication styles may find it difficult to coexist or work together, leading to friction.
5. Unmet Needs: When basic human needs for security, recognition, justice, or belonging are not met, individuals or groups may resort to conflict to assert their demands.
6. Power Imbalance: Unequal distribution of power or attempts by one party to dominate another can lead to resentment and conflict.
7. Historical Grievances: Past injustices, unresolved disputes, or historical events can create lasting animosity between groups, leading to recurring conflicts.

Nature of Conflict

Conflict is a natural and inevitable part of human interaction. It is not always negative; it can sometimes lead to positive changes, innovation, and stronger relationships if managed constructively. However, if poorly managed, conflict can result in violence, breakdown of relationships, and societal instability. It often involves emotions, perceptions, and power dynamics.

Contexts of Conflict in Nigeria

In Nigeria, conflicts can occur in various contexts, including:

1. Ethnic and Religious Conflicts: Disputes between different ethnic groups or religious communities, often over land, resources, or political influence.
2. Farmer-Herder Clashes: Conflicts between agricultural communities and pastoralists over grazing land and water resources.
3. Political Conflicts: Disagreements and struggles for power among political parties or factions, sometimes leading to violence during elections.
4. Communal Clashes: Disputes between neighbouring communities over boundaries, resources, or traditional leadership.
5. Family Disputes: Conflicts within families over inheritance, property, or domestic issues.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Brainstorming, Group Work, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Brainstorming/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to brainstorm what comes to mind when they hear the word “conflict.” The teacher records their ideas on the board.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils share their ideas and definitions of conflict.

Learning Point: Prior knowledge activation

Step 2: Meaning of Conflict

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses the students’ brainstormed ideas to provide a clear definition of conflict, explaining it as a serious disagreement or argument between individuals or groups with opposing interests. The teacher gives simple examples.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and contribute examples of conflict they have observed.

Learning Point: Conflict definition

Step 3: Types of Conflict

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Classification/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the different types of conflict (intrapersonal, interpersonal, intragroup, intergroup, organisational, international) using the chart and pictures. The teacher explains each type with simple, relatable examples.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions for clarification, and identify examples for each type of conflict.

Learning Point: Conflict types identification

Step 4: Group Activity – Types of Conflict Information Cards

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Collaboration/Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides students into small groups and gives each group a specific type of conflict. Each group is tasked with developing an “information card” that defines their assigned conflict type and provides an example. The teacher circulates to provide guidance.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils work in groups to create their information cards, discussing definitions and examples.

Learning Point: Conflict types explanation

Step 5: Causes of Conflict

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Listing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the various causes of conflict, such as scarcity of resources, differences in values, poor communication, and personality clashes, using the chart and newspaper headlines. The teacher explains how each cause can lead to conflict.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and note the causes of conflict, asking questions for better understanding.

Learning Point: Conflict causes identification

Step 6: Nature and Contexts of Conflict

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Elaboration/Examples

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the nature of conflict (inevitable, can be positive or negative) and identifies selected areas or contexts of conflict in Nigeria, such as ethnic, religious, and farmer-herder clashes, using examples from the news or general knowledge.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and contribute known examples of conflicts in Nigeria.

Learning Point: Conflict nature and contexts

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is conflict?
2. Mention two types of conflict.
3. State three causes of conflict.
4. Explain one type of conflict you know.
5. Give an example of a conflict context in Nigeria.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Conflict understanding assessment

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the meaning, types, causes, nature, and contexts of conflict into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Key concepts recording

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly reminds students that understanding conflict is the first step towards managing it peacefully and encourages them to always seek peaceful ways to resolve disagreements.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and reflect on the importance of peaceful conflict resolution.

Learning Point: Peaceful resolution importance

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Further Reading
Instruction: Research and write a short paragraph about a recent conflict in your local community or in Nigeria, identifying its type and possible causes.

1. Define conflict in your own words.
2. List and explain two types of conflict.
3. Identify three causes of conflict.
4. Describe a conflict situation you have observed and state its type.
5. Suggest one way to resolve a conflict peacefully.

Lesson Keywords

• Conflict – A serious disagreement or argument.
• Intrapersonal – Conflict within an individual.
• Interpersonal – Conflict between individuals.
• Intragroup – Conflict within a group.
• Intergroup – Conflict between different groups.
• Scarcity – Insufficient supply of resources.
• Communication – The process of conveying information.

Differentiation

Support for weaker learners: Provide simplified definitions and more basic examples of conflict. Pair them with stronger learners during group activities. Offer pre-filled information cards for them to complete with examples.
Extension for faster learners: Encourage them to research and present more complex examples of international conflicts or propose potential solutions for specific conflict scenarios in Nigeria. They can also lead discussions on the positive aspects of conflict.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding of conflict and its types, search on YouTube for:
meaning types causes conflict jss1 social studies

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have all instructional materials ready, including posters, pictures, and any prepared information cards for group work. Begin by engaging students with a brainstorming session to activate their prior knowledge of conflict. Systematically introduce the meaning, types, causes, and nature of conflict, using clear explanations and relatable examples. Encourage active participation through questioning and discussion. For the group activity, ensure each group understands its task and provide support as needed. Guide students to identify real-life examples of conflict, especially within the Nigerian context. During evaluation, ensure questions cover all performance objectives. Students should copy the Board Summary notes after the main teaching points have been covered and understood. Emphasise that conflict is a normal part of life but can be managed constructively. Pay attention to weaker learners by simplifying concepts and providing extra support, while challenging faster learners with more in-depth tasks.