The theoretical model developed by K. Lewin and by N.E. Miller concerning conflict were discussed with special emphasis upon its application to typical cases taken from examples in human behavior. The model formulates the conditions of the life space under which a subject should fall into conflict. In reviewing a few experimental studies on conflict carried with albino rats and with cats, it was pointed out that these studies did not directly concern with verification of the assumptions underlying the model. In fact, the model needs no experimental verification because of the logical nature in its formulation. This model is always a matter of interpretation which is to be offered whenever conflict is observed, but it is not concrete enough to predict in advance the precise course of behavior which is to be observed under the given conditions. Nevertheless, it seems to the author, the model is worth formulating because it provides us with some informations concerning conflict which can not be attained otherwise. For instance, it was argued as a logical consequence of the model that a subject will never fall into conflict unless there is, explicitly or implicitly, a negative force influencing its behavior. And it was also discussed that taking into consideration by man the subjective probability of achieving a positive goal or of avoiding a negative goal is what distinguishes conflict in man from that in animal.

V 心理,慶応義塾創立百年記念論文集