Which stage involves awareness of a problem but conflict hasn't started yet?

• A. Latent conflict
• B. Felt conflict
• C. Manifest conflict
• D. Perceived conflict

Answer: (D)

The concept being tested is how conflict progresses from awareness to overt dispute. In the stage where a problem is recognized but no friction has begun, there is awareness of an issue without emotional reaction or visible disagreement. People see that something isn’t right and that there could be a conflict, but there’s no tension, arguments, or counterproductive behaviors yet. This is the moment where early intervention can help through open communication, clarifying goals, and fact-finding to prevent escalation. It differs from latent conflict, where conditions exist that could lead to conflict but no one has recognized them yet; from felt conflict, where emotions and tensions arise; and from manifest conflict, where the disagreement becomes overt and observable.