What Are the 4 Main Types of Conflicts? Explained Clearly
Understanding the Core of Conflict
Let’s be real—conflict is everywhere. In books, movies, your job, your family group chat. But not all conflicts are the same. If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to describe a tricky situation (like "Ugh, I’m not mad at them, I’m mad at me"), you’re not alone.
In both literature and real life, conflicts tend to fall into four major types. They help us break down what’s going on beneath the surface.
1. Person vs Person: The Classic Clash
It’s you against them (literally)
This is probably the one that pops into your head first.
Person vs Person conflict is when two individuals butt heads—physically, verbally, emotionally. Think Batman vs Joker. Or two coworkers competing for the same promotion. Or you and your roommate arguing about dishes (again).
It’s direct. It’s dramatic. And let’s be honest—it’s kind of juicy.
But yeah, it can get exhausting too. Especially when it drags on or starts affecting everyone around. (Trust me, I once had a neighbor feud over parking space turn into a six-month cold war.)
2. Person vs Self: The Inner Battle
When your biggest enemy is… well, you
This one hits deep. Person vs Self conflict is all about internal struggle—doubt, fear, guilt, identity, temptation. Maybe the character can’t forgive themselves. Maybe they're torn between doing what’s right vs what’s easy.
Famous example? Hamlet. Whole play = mental spiral.
And in real life? Oh boy. Impostor syndrome, decision paralysis, midlife crisis at 29 (yep, that’s a thing).
These are the conflicts that feel quiet but can be absolutely loud inside your head.
3. Person vs Society: Going Against the Norms
Rebels, outcasts, and rule-breakers unite
Here we’ve got individuals pushing back against social norms, laws, institutions, or cultural expectations. Person vs Society shows up when someone doesn’t fit in—or refuses to—and that refusal comes at a cost.
Books like The Hunger Games? Totally this.
Real-life? Whistleblowers, civil rights activists, anyone fighting for change from the inside out.
It’s uncomfortable, powerful, and honestly kinda inspiring. But let’s not sugarcoat it—it can also get messy real fast.
4. Person vs Nature: The Survival Game
The world doesn’t care about your plans
Think of survival stories. Mountains, storms, wild animals, plagues—basically anything the natural world throws at you. That’s Person vs Nature. It’s raw, primal, and all about adapting.
Movies like The Revenant or Life of Pi are perfect examples.
But it’s not just “I’m stuck in a forest.” Climate change? Natural disasters? That counts too.
Sometimes, the conflict isn’t even winning—it’s just not dying today.
Wait—aren’t there more types?
Yep, kinda. Some people add Person vs Technology, or Person vs Supernatural, or even Person vs Fate. And that’s cool! Those are like extensions or sub-categories of the big four.
For example, Person vs Technology often overlaps with Person vs Society (like AI replacing jobs).
But for most storytelling—and psychological analysis—the four core types cover 90% of conflict situations.
Final Thoughts: Why Knowing These Conflicts Matters
Understanding the main types of conflict isn’t just some English class thing. It helps you:
Analyze books and movies better
Improve your own writing (if you’re into that)
Reflect on your own life struggles with more clarity
Whether you’re dealing with office politics, existential dread, or a wild thunderstorm ruining your weekend plans… chances are, it’s one of these four.
And recognizing that? That’s the first step to figuring out what to do next.
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Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.