However, this model is complicated by the fact that conflicts often occur in mixed-motive relationships where the involved parties both have cooperative and competitive goals and Mitchell’s model seems to have neglected this pluralistic/multifaceted/more complex dimension to the relationship. The competitive element creates conflict and the cooperative element creates incentives to negotiate an agreement. There are, however, studies that confirm that conflicts tend to occur even when the involved parties have highly compatible goals. This can be explained by including frustration, obstruction, and interference in the definition. .
