Mathematical Theory of Conflicts as a Cognitive Control Theory

We give a rigorous mathematical definition of conflict, on the basis of which we formulate the mathematical theory of conflicts as a problem of the theory of cognitive control. Possible ways of influencing the conflicting parties on each other are considered and analyzed. The analysis carried out shows that the control of a conflict situation is fundamentally different from the control of technical objects. So, when controlling technical objects, it is usually possible to directly influence the reason that causes error (deviation) in the system. In a conflict situation, there is often no opportunity to directly influence the opposite side of the conflict. However, each of the conflicting parties has the ability to change its own parameters and, thereby, create a conflict for the opposite side, which is forced to change its parameters to those necessary for the opponent in order to resolve its own conflict. Within the framework of the developed theory, the conflict between the worker and the employer is considered, and this conflict is analyzed from the point of view of the cognitive control theory.