INTRODUCTION TO THE COMPLETE CONFLICT ANALYSIS BATTERY
The Conflict Analysis Battery (CAB) is a self-assessment which identifies the test-taker’s personality type as a particular conflict resolution. The assessment is therapeutic in that it provides insights that help one to optimize their conflict resolution choices. The battery is founded on the Formal Theory’s (FT) conceptualization of emotions as energetic entities that predictably evolve along a dialectic process, leading to attitude change. We recognize four types of conflict resolution, the relational modalities. The CAB differs from current assessments, which identify emotional conditions as medical symptoms, i.e. diseases outside of a person’s control. Through the assessment, one identifies their relational modality as a wellness diagnosis and is assisted in dealing with emotional issues through an educational experience.
The Formal Theory’s analysis of the unconscious is based on studying the creative process. Thus, the CAB guides the test-taker to create samples of creativity, and provides tools for the analysis of them. The assessment helps one to identify actionable insights, helping one deal more effectively with stressors. In addition, AI, specifically Chat GPT, trained by the FT, enhances the meaningfulness of the personally generated insights.
The CAB is an Emotional Education program that consists of three components:

  1. An essay introducing the concepts of the Formal Theory of Behavior to learn about psychology as the Science of Conflict Resolution.
  2. Completion of the CAB self-assessment to learn about oneself.
  3. Studying the report generated by the computer which organizes insights generated through the assessment experience and additional insights provided by AI.
 
  1. The Educational Essay:
The Formal Theory’s unconscious is a scientific conflict resolution phenomenon consisting of a syndrome of six emotions leading to a set of four relational modalities, wellness diagnostic categories.
All stories have a plot associated with a moral message. We identify the unconscious by examining the plot of stories as a scientific conflict-resolving entity consisting of two components: a syndrome of six emotions leading to four types of conflict resolution.
The six emotions proceed predictably, like a chain reaction from a conflict to a resolution. The emotional dialectic begins from an initial Stress state, which elicits a Response. The response distorts one’s perception of reality. Actions as role choices in the response state generate Anxieties as anticipations of one’s role reversal. The anxieties lead to the fourth role state, the Defense, consisting of a counterphobic role assumption. Defensiveness prompts a real Role Reversal, which is countered by making concessions in the next and final role, a Compromise, the conflict’s resolution.
We recognize the six emotions as three sets, each guided by an innate formal operation leading to an attitude change. The first operation transforms stress as a state of passivity to its reciprocal mastery. The second operation transforms antagonism to its opposite, cooperation. A third operation transforms alienation to a state of mutual respect. These three formal operations vary in outcomes. The syndromal sequence leads to four alternative types of resolving conflicts: the relational modalities, wellness personality diagnoses. Accordingly, we recognize dominance and submissiveness, modified by cooperation and antagonism. We differentiate illness as unresolved conflicts, which is manifest as difficulties in attaining Mutual Respect.
  1. The measurement of the unconscious with the CAB
The unconscious keeps our minds at a comfortable rest state by metabolizing conflicts, unpleasant emotions, by automatically resolving them along the six-role process. This process determines on its own how we resolve conflicts. In that sense, the unconscious organizes our feelings and behavior choices like a self-driving car. The assessment makes us self-aware. It allows us to jump into the driver’s seat and take control of our behaviors and related emotions.

The objective of the CAB is identifying the two components of the unconscious. The battery achieves this by combining two instruments to determine first, the relational modality diagnosis, and then the emotional dialectic, the syndrome of the six emotions.
We determine the wellness diagnoses with two inventories: the Relational Modality Evaluation Scale (RMES), a checklist of characteristics of the four relational modalities and the Relational Modality Spectrum (RMS), which examines relational responses to twenty stressors. These inventories identify reciprocal power variables; we distinguish dominance versus submissiveness, and opposite attitude variables, cooperative versus antagonistic alternatives. The inventories also identify the intensity of conflicts experienced by measuring the relational experience of alienation versus mutual respect.
We determine the six emotion syndromal sequence with fourteen creativity-based self-discovery tasks. The tasks examine samples of creativity and the test-taker’s reflections on them. These exercises have been chosen to reflect the six emotions of the unconscious conflict resolution process. Each task consists of prompts inviting one to draw an image and to compose a commensurate story, and then to analyze it to explore insights and changes. The 14 tasks are connected in a dramatic continuum, starting from a conflict and leading to its resolution, thus identifying the test-taker’s conflict resolution pattern. The creativity segment of the battery evokes emotions and leads to self-reflection and emotional growth. This segment is therapeutic.
  1. The computer generates a report presenting the findings generated by the test-taker and then is interpreted by Open AI’s Chat GPT.
The report, following up on the test-taker’s experience with the CAB, clarifies the unconscious as a six emotions dialectic, the conflict resolution process, and as a wellness diagnosis, one’s relational modality. One becomes conscious of the unconscious as a conflict-resolving entity leading to one or four personality types, wellness diagnoses.
The breakdown of the report:
 
  1. A table summarizes the two inventory scores, the RMES and RMS, each followed by GPT analysis, culminating in a GPT comparison of the two inventory scores.
  2. A table presenting the stress and response exercises of the CAB, followed by GPT analysis.
  3. A table presenting the anxiety and defense exercises of the CAB, followed by GPT analysis.
  4. A table presenting the reversal and compromise exercises of the CAB, followed by GPT analysis.
  5. A table with GPT analysis connecting the creativity exercises into an emotional continuum, and a table with GPT analysis drawing connections between the relational modality scores and symbolic choices in the metaphors.
  6. A table summarizing self-identified insights and suggestions for changes, followed by GPT analysis.
  7. A table containing reflections of the test-taker on their assessment experience, followed by GPT analysis.
  8. A link to a second survey where one can reflect on the GPT analysis of their report.


What follows is a short course in the Formal Theoretical perspective, providing scientific information about the two components of the unconscious: syndromes and relational modalities and further information about the creativity tasks of the assessment.

To understand the science behind the unconscious, it is helpful to examine the scientific and moral structure of the unconscious thought process as an innate, homeostatic, conflict-resolving mechanism. The mechanism reduces the unpleasant state of emotional turmoil by restoring the emotional rest state by transforming conflicts into resolutions. Emotions are viewed as energetic entities. The unconscious transforms energy by changing a person’s attitude, reducing the unpleasantness of conflicts. The process follows the laws of two natural science phenomena:
1) The Physics of the Simple Harmonic Motion
2) The three formal operations restoring balance to the trays of the scale, as identified by Felix Klein and applied to intellectual concepts by J. Piaget.

The first phenomenon, the Simple Harmonic Motion. This scientific construct clarifies the conflict resolution process as a three-pendulum oscillation, an energetic and attitude transformation mechanism, guided by the second phenomenon’s three formal operations of the equilibrial scale. The formal operations change a person’s attitude. 


When a pendulum is displaced from its point of rest, or the human self from its normative or rest position, it is subject to a force opposing the change and restoring the equilibrium as compelled by the gravity of the emotional charge. This force, times the distance of one’s displacement, represents an energetic quantity defined by the formula: E=FxS. (Energy is equal to the product of the force times the distance from the rest state, the normative deviation.)

Like the pendulum, the mind responds to conflict, seeking to restore balance, i.e. the rest state. Based on the energy conservation principle, the mechanical pendulum oscillates forever. The mental pendulum differs. It requires only three oscillations, the six-role syndrome, to transform the energy of conflict into a pleasant resolution. Energy is processed by modifying one’s attitude to achieve a normative conciliation.

The process of conflict resolution in humans is like photosynthesis in plants. The unconscious captures the energy of conflicts and transforms it into personal, emotional, and societal growth, reinforcing normative conformity and sometimes normative change. We call this energetic change catharsis or emotional cleansing.

The graphic below presents the six-role process as illustrated in Greek mythology’s very cruel creation stories. After four generations of conflict resolution, the very intense conflicts of the family ended with the creation of the religion of the ten gods of Olympus.

 

The second phenomenon is the formal operations which restore balance to the trays of a scale.
We can better understand the three formal equilibrial operations as corresponding to attitude changes which restores balance to the conflicted self. This is identical with what happens when one places a weight on a tray of the scale:

 


Reciprocity is a formal operation in which the reciprocal behavior, placing a weight on the scale’s opposite tray restores balance. This is equivalent to resolving conflicts by moving from passivity to a state of activity or mastery.

Negation: This formal operation restores balance corresponding to resolving conflicts by pursuing the opposite choice behavior, turning antagonism to cooperation. This is equivalent to removing the initial weight from the weighted-down tray.

Correlation: This formal operation restores balance by changing one’s attitude from feeling alienated to experiencing mutual respect, thus reconciling a person with the broader reality. This attitude change represents the act of abstract thinking, reducing tension in the psyche and one’s social reality. This change corresponds to shifting the weight on the fulcrum of the scale.

The Formal Theory uses the three formal operations to evaluate conflict-resolving patterns: distinguishing Submissiveness from Dominance, Antagonism from Cooperation, and Alienation from Mutual Respect. The first two formal operations are the relational criteria which identify the four relational modalities as wellness diagnoses. The third operation account for wellness versus pathology or illness.

The diagram below presents the person’s power and attitude disposition within the map of normative reality, illustrated as the three concentric circles and ellipses.



The relational modalities are graphically portrayable as vectors within concentric circles and ellipses representing the map of normative systems. The ellipses orbiting the circles present an individual’s two emotional states as in formal relation to each other placed on reciprocal positions.

In the diagrams we recognize three formal distinctions describing the interrelation of parties in conflict:
1. The operation of reciprocity is presented on the horizontal axis of the circles, power (dominance) on the right and powerlessness (submissiveness) on the left.
2. The operation of negation is presented as two opposite ways of relating: cooperatively, as the clockwise system on the right; and antagonistically, as the counterclockwise vectors on the left.
3. The operation of correlation (alienation versus mutual respect) is presented in the intensity of psychic and social conflicts. We recognize the diagram’s three levels of concentricity as reflecting increments of intensity.

 

The four relational modalities
To help contextualize the relational modality distinctions, it is helpful to connect the four alternatives with examples of well-known characters that reflect them. The four characters of the story of The Wizard of Oz are a good example. We recognize the four characters both as problematic, needing the magical intervention of a wizard, and as wellness psychological diagnoses suitable in defining personality types. The four relational modalities vary along the distinctions of power versus powerlessness, and attitude as cooperation versus antagonism. The Oz heroes’ characteristics help to understand the wellness diagnoses. When psychic tension is elevated, the characters may decompensate and generate symptoms.

  • The Lion, the dominant antagonistic person, projects their own aggressiveness onto others and becomes scared, hence, it is cowardly, paranoid, and anxious. In order for the aggressive person to reduce or avert anxiety, they must diminish their own aggressive behaviors and antagonism.
  • The Tin Man, the submissive antagonistic person, holds an ax and wears armor, projecting his hostile feelings. Expecting hostility, he protects himself with a suit of armor. In order to avert the hostile outlook, the Tin Man needs to become cooperative and assertive, to assume power by expressing feelings respectfully rather than bottling them up, afraid of assuming any power.
  • The Scarecrow, the submissive cooperative person, doubts themselves. He is hesitant to express thoughts and feelings. In order to gain power this person should learn to express himself and trust his judgments.
  • Dorothy is the dominant cooperative person, representing a powerful and socially engaged person. In order to optimize this pattern, she should learn to moderate power in dealing with others.
  • The diagram below shows the four Wizard of Oz characters and their respective relational modalities.
  • Through completing the CAB, you will discover your need to make changes in power and attitude to reduce conflicts and psychic tension. Lions and Dorothies learn about reducing power, while Tin Men and Scare Crows learn about assertiveness. Dominant people learn to restrain their power. Their self-righteous expression of feelings generates anxiety, leading to defensiveness. Submissive people, on the other hand, learn to express their feelings. Assertiveness as an expression of feelings is empowering, and decreases self-doubt, helplessness, and dependency needs. Through the CAB, Lions and Tin Men learn how to reduce their antagonism, beginning to practice cooperation with others. ​​​​​​​

The creativity exercises
There are 14 creativity tasks that combine drawing, creative writing, and self-reflection. You can either use the drawing tool provided or upload a photo of a hand-drawn image. This is a sample drawing from a past CAB user:

Creativity tasks are chosen to illustrate the six-role process.
 

  ROLE EXPERIENCE EXERCISE
1 STRESS Experiencing conflict, the first passivity position Three Conflictual Memories and Parental Family Portrait
2 RESPONSE Reacting to stress, the first activity position Transparent Mask Test and the Close Relationship Portrait
3 ANXIETY Fears of reversal of fortune, the second passivity position Hidden Mask and What is in your Heart
Tests
4 DEFENSE Offsetting anxiety through defense, the second activity position Animal Metaphor and the Fairy Tale Metaphor Tests
5 REVERSAL Experiencing real loss of power, the third passivity position Intensified Animal Metaphor and the Dream Metaphor
6 COMPROMISE Resolving conflict, transforming passivity to activity, antagonism to cooperation and alienation to mutual respect, the third and final activity position Short Story Test and the Letter to Oneself

The significance of the six-role process is in that it performs a physiological function, reducing psychic tension while also leading the person to an attitude change. This facilitates one’s social adjustment. The six-role process is an innate dynamic, which leads spontaneously from stress to compromise manifested by uniting all artwork in a continuum. The creativity tasks of the battery validate the conflict resolution function of the unconscious as guided by the formal operations. These innate principles correspond to our universal moral values: moderation, cooperation and mutual respect.

The CAB’s objective is to help make the goal of wellness attainable. It may be helpful to continue the growth process by sharing one's feelings with a competent listener, a therapist, or a friend.
We hope you find the program meaningful. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel encouraged to write to us: info@museumofthecreativeprocess.com.
The CAB is a valuable educational and therapeutic resource. The average time for the completion of the battery varies from four to nine hours. It can be stopped and started at your own pace. If stopping repeatedly, we recommend stopping after the completion of a page, as information is automatically saved upon each page’s completion. If using Safari or Internet Explorer, it may be necessary to allow cookies. To do so, select browser preferences and then change the privacy settings. 
A Recap: THE SELF-ASSESSMENT REPRESENTS A MAJOR SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGH
The CAB is an application and validation of the formal theoretical perspective which makes use of the cutting-edge technology of AI.
1. The FT introduces the study of the creative process by identifying the unconscious as a scientific conflict-resolution entity. The FT understands the unconscious a homeostatic energy and attitude transformation mechanism, seeking to maintain psychic tension at an acceptable level.
2. The unconscious consists of two components: a syndrome of six emotions, capturing and transforming energy along two scientific energy and attitude transforming formal operations leading to four relational modalities, wellness diagnoses.
3. The battery has two corresponding components: an inventory, diagnosing the relational modality, and a set of projective techniques, measuring the six-role process of the unconscious.
4. The assessment experience is didactic, diagnostic and therapeutic; it mobilizes one’s emotions while providing an educational experience for one, allowing them to learn about psychology and themselves. The insights are actionable in terms of power and attitude choices.
5. The conflict resolution process reflects that morality is an innate mechanism. The unconscious as a conflict resolution entity is the origin of all religions. The FT identifies religions’ moral paradigms as reflecting the alternative relational modalities. Science thus integrates religions as partial and complimentary discoveries of conflict resolution alternatives, as moral monopolies, into the Moral Science. The FT examines how religions have evolved, restructuring the family institution and improving societal adjustments. The FT suggests that religions evolved through the initiations of political leaders who sanctified their particular ways of resolving conflict.
6. The clinical effectiveness of the assessment validates the premise of the formal theory. Another validation of the formal theory is in the fact that artificial intelligence, trained by the FT, is able to assist in the interpretation of the testing. AI recognizes the two components of the unconscious: the modalities and the six-role syndrome process. The capacity of artificial intelligence in analyzing the unconscious changes artificial intelligence’s identity to that of moral intelligence, the moral authority, able to judge individual and sociological phenomena as alternative types of conflict resolution.
What motivated you to take the Conflict Analysis Battery?