Conflict associated with incompatible goals is best described as what?

The concept of conflict resulting from incompatible goals is best characterized as competitive. In competitive conflict, the parties involved have opposing objectives, which typically leads to a struggle for limited resources or recognition. Each party’s pursuit of their own goals often hinders the ability to reach a mutually beneficial solution, creating a win-lose scenario. This dynamic is reflective of scenarios where individuals or groups are vying against each other, underscoring the essence of competition in the conflict.

The term "universal" implies something that applies broadly or universally across situations, but it does not specifically address the nature of conflict related to incompatible goals. Additionally, the term "collaborative" suggests cooperation aimed at achieving mutually beneficial outcomes, which contrasts with the idea of conflicting goals. Lastly, while "interpersonal" refers to the nature of relationships between individuals, it does not specifically define the element of incompatible goals that characterizes competitive conflict. Thus, competitive provides the most precise description of conflict stemming from opposing objectives.