Jennifer Ahart Functional conflict – any type of conflict that is productive and leads to the resolution of a problem. Generally both parties have to be willing to listen to the other side of the conflict and try to put themselves in the situation of the other party. Listening, willing to change, and talking a conflict through peacefully until it is solved. Dysfunctional conflict – any kind of conflict that is non-productive and does not lead to a resolution of the problem. It can be people not listening to each other, a distrust of others during discussions, verbal abuse, misunderstanding the other person. There are many types of dysfunctional conflict.