Conflict avoidance is a personality trait in which one would prefer to avoid confrontation or arguments with other people, and may practice various methods such as changing the subject or simply agreeing with the argumentative person as a way of avoiding these conflicts. People who do this are sometimes referred to as "people pleasers," and though there is nothing inherently wrong with attempting to avoid conflicts, some people find that it causes issues in relationships over time. A psychologist or therapist may be able to help an individual learn better methods of dealing with conflicts in a healthy way, rather than practicing conflict avoidance.
The personality trait of conflict avoidance is a very common one, as many people prefer not to argue, and want to just "keep the peace" even at cost to themselves. People may practice conflict avoidance in a number of ways; for instance, they might simply pretend that everything is fine and refuse to acknowledge their own feelings. Some of them will physically leave the room or the conversation if a conflict seems to be brewing, and refuse to discuss it at all. A more moderate tactic is to just try to change the subject to something more pleasant. Still others will engage in passive-aggressive behavior as a method of indirectly expressing themselves and their displeasure.
One of the least healthy methods of avoidance is to simply agree to whatever the other person is saying, rather than standing up for oneself. In some situations compromise is important, of course, but many people who do this end up feeling resentful, or as if they never get what they want. Sometimes, people who avoid conflicts find themselves in relationships, either romantic or platonic, with people who are very dominating and will demand their own way. These relationships are often doomed to fail unless communication strategies are addressed and change.
Practicing being more assertive in discussions without being aggressive is one way to deal with conflict avoidance issues, as well as making sure each person in the relationship has a turn to talk and express him or herself. Going to therapy independently or as a couple can be a very effective way of learning new communication methods that can help with this problem. Avoiding conflicts at work can lead to larger issues, as well as increased stress in one's life. Generally, this is a learned personality behavior that can be altered with practice and patience.
