Which stage is associated with emotional conflicts such as fear, anger, and anxiety?

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

Answer: (C)

The stage being tested is the one where emotional reactions drive the conflict. Felt conflict is when people internally experience emotional responses—fear, anger, anxiety, frustration—about the situation. It’s the emotional heartbeat of the conflict, occurring after parties recognize there’s a disagreement but before those emotions show up in overt actions.

Latent conflict involves conditions that could lead to conflict but no one is aware of it yet; perceived conflict is when someone recognizes a disagreement cognitively but isn’t emotionally stirred; manifest conflict is the visible, outward expression of conflict through behavior. Since the question focuses on emotional experience like fear and anxiety, felt conflict is the best fit.