When one person or group of people get their way by influencing others to accommodate and abandon their goals, domination has occurred. Conflicts that end with domination are often called win-lose solutions. The people who get their way “win,” while the others who accommodate “lose.” The strongest predictor of domination is the power balance between the people involved. In cases in which one person or group has substantial power and opts to use competition, others with less power will likely back down, allowing those with power to dominate.

Domination isn’t always destructive, however. Consider, for example, medical or military decisions. In emergency situations in which multiple parties are disputing options, having people in positions of authority enforce decisions while other people accommodate solves conflict efficiently, enabling swift action.