Meaning, Types, Causes and Consequences of Social Conflict and Examples of Social Conflict for JSS 1

Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 2
Age: 12 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Social and Citizenship Studies
Curriculum Theme: Civic Responsibilities and Social Justice
Focal competence: Demonstrating knowledge of the causes, effects, and types of social conflicts
Key competencies/values: Communication; Information literacy
Skills:

• Managing and Resolving conflicts

Previous Lesson: Meaning, Types, Causes and Effects of Social Vices and Types of Social Vices
Topic: Social Conflict
Subject Matter: Meaning of social conflict, Examples of social conflict, Types of social conflict, Causes of social conflict, Consequences of social conflict

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• define social conflict;
• give examples of social conflict;
• identify the types of social conflict;
• state the causes of social conflict.

Affective Domain

• appreciate the importance of understanding social conflict;
• show willingness to participate in conflict resolution.

Psychomotor Domain

• role-play a scenario of social conflict;
• suggest ways to manage simple conflicts.

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 incidents of conflict
• Resource person brought to speak on impacts of social conflict in our communities
• Short videos on how social conflict can be managed
• Whiteboard and markers
• Flip chart

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important as it equips students with a foundational understanding of social conflict, a common occurrence in societies. By learning about its meaning, types, causes, and consequences, students can better analyze social situations and develop skills for managing and resolving disagreements in their communities.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students have a basic understanding of community living and interactions among people from their previous lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Social Conflict

Meaning of Social Conflict

Social conflict is a disagreement or struggle between individuals or groups over interests, values, resources, beliefs, or goals. It happens when two or more parties have opposing views or desires and try to achieve their own aims, sometimes at the expense of others.

Examples of Social Conflict

Social conflicts can be seen in various situations, such as:

1. Disagreements between neighbours over land boundaries.
2. Strikes by workers demanding better wages from their employers.
3. Clashes between different ethnic or religious groups.
4. Political protests over government policies.
5. Family disputes over inheritance.

Types of Social Conflict

Social conflicts can be classified into different types:

1. Interpersonal Conflict: This occurs between two individuals, such as a disagreement between friends or siblings.
2. Intragroup Conflict: This happens within a single group, like arguments among members of a club or family.
3. Intergroup Conflict: This involves conflict between two or more different groups, such as rivalry between different communities or schools.
4. Organizational Conflict: This takes place within an organization, like disputes between different departments in a company.
5. International Conflict: This refers to conflicts between different countries, often leading to diplomatic tensions or war.

Causes of Social Conflict

Social conflicts often arise from several factors, including:

1. Scarcity of Resources: When resources like land, water, or money are limited, people or groups may compete for them, leading to conflict.
2. Differences in Values and Beliefs: Disagreements over moral principles, religious beliefs, or cultural practices can cause conflict.
3. Unequal Distribution of Power: When some groups have more power or influence than others, it can lead to resentment and conflict from those who feel oppressed.
4. Poor Communication: Misunderstandings, lack of clear information, or refusal to listen to others can escalate minor disagreements into major conflicts.
5. Competition for Status or Recognition: Individuals or groups may conflict when they compete for social standing, prestige, or political positions.
6. Injustice and Inequality: Perceived unfair treatment, discrimination, or lack of equal opportunities can fuel social unrest and conflict.

Consequences of Social Conflict

Social conflicts can have both negative and, sometimes, positive consequences:

1. Negative Consequences:
   • Loss of lives and property.
   • Disruption of peace and order.
   • Economic instability and underdevelopment.
   • Psychological trauma and fear among people.
   • Breakdown of social relationships and trust.
2. Positive Consequences (if managed well):
   • Can lead to social change and reform.
   • Can help clarify issues and strengthen relationships after resolution.
   • Can bring hidden problems to the surface, allowing them to be addressed.
   • Can foster unity within a group facing an external conflict.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Role-play, Group Work, Video Presentation.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Activating Prior Knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to share any disagreements they might have witnessed or been part of in school or at home, without mentioning names. The teacher then introduces the topic of social conflict.

Pupils’ Activity: Students share their experiences of disagreements and listen to the teacher’s introduction.

Learning Point: Introduction to conflict

Step 2: Meaning of Social Conflict

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of social conflict, using simple language and examples. The teacher defines it as a disagreement or struggle between individuals or groups over interests, values, resources, beliefs, or goals.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen attentively, ask questions for clarification, and attempt to define social conflict in their own words.

Learning Point: Definition of social conflict

Step 3: Examples of Social Conflict

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Illustration/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows posters displaying different conflict scenarios or plays a short video clip. The teacher then asks students to identify examples of social conflict from their daily lives or from the media.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the posters/video, identify examples, and share their own examples of social conflict.

Learning Point: Identifying conflict examples

Step 4: Types of Social Conflict

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Classification/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the different types of social conflict (interpersonal, intragroup, intergroup, organizational, international), giving a brief example for each. Students are encouraged to search for more types and causes of social conflict using available resources (e.g., internet on teacher’s device).

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, take notes, and actively participate in identifying and discussing the different types of conflict. Some students may use devices to search for information.

Learning Point: Understanding conflict types

Step 5: Causes of Social Conflict

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Brainstorming/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the various causes of social conflict, such as scarcity of resources, differences in values, unequal power, and poor communication. The teacher encourages students to contribute their ideas.

Pupils’ Activity: Students brainstorm and discuss possible causes of social conflict, relating them to real-life situations.

Learning Point: Causes of conflict

Step 6: Consequences of Social Conflict

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Analysis/Role-play

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses both the negative and potential positive consequences of social conflict. The teacher then divides students into small groups to role-play a simple scenario of social conflict and its immediate consequences, as per the activity.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen to the discussion on consequences and participate in group role-playing activities, demonstrating understanding of conflict outcomes.

Learning Point: Conflict consequences demonstrated

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 social conflict?
2. Give two examples of social conflict.
3. Mention three types of social conflict.
4. State two causes of social conflict.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding social conflict concepts

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, examples, types, causes, and consequences of social conflict into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

The teacher summarizes the lesson by reiterating the importance of understanding social conflict and its impact on society, encouraging students to be peace advocates.

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. Describe a social conflict you have observed in your community or school and identify its type.
2. Suggest two ways such a conflict could have been avoided or resolved peacefully.
3. Why is it important for citizens to understand social conflict?

Lesson Keywords

• Conflict – A serious disagreement or argument.
• Social Conflict – Disagreement or struggle between individuals or groups over interests, values, resources, beliefs, or goals.
• Interpersonal – Between two people.
• Intergroup – Between different groups.
• Consequences – Results or effects of an action or event.
• Resources – Supplies of money, materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively.

Differentiation

For weaker learners: Provide simplified definitions and more visual aids (pictures/diagrams) to explain concepts. Pair them with stronger learners for group activities and role-playing. Focus on defining social conflict and giving simple examples.

For faster learners: Encourage them to research real-life examples of social conflicts in Nigeria and discuss their causes and consequences in more detail. Challenge them to propose solutions for complex conflict scenarios during role-play or discussion.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, search on YouTube for: “Meaning and types of social conflict JSS 1” or “Causes and consequences of social conflict for junior secondary”.

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have prepared your instructional materials such as posters showing conflict incidents or a short video clip. If inviting a resource person, confirm their availability. Begin by engaging students with relatable examples of disagreements to transition into the concept of social conflict. Guide them through the definitions, types, causes, and consequences, making sure to use clear and simple language appropriate for JSS 1. Encourage active participation through questions, discussions, and the role-play activity. During Step 8, ensure students accurately copy the Board Summary notes. Pay attention to student responses during evaluation to gauge their understanding and provide immediate feedback. Support weaker learners by simplifying explanations and providing additional examples, while challenging faster learners with deeper analysis and problem-solving tasks.