Which term describes the act of avoiding a situation to escape conflict?

The term that describes the act of avoiding a situation to escape conflict is avoidance. This involves steering clear of conflicts or disagreements, often by not addressing the issue at hand or withdrawing from a situation altogether. Individuals may choose avoidance as a strategy to prevent confrontations that they feel uncomfortable handling or to maintain peace in a given context.

In situations where engagement, confrontation, or suppression might escalate a conflict or require direct action, avoidance allows an individual to bypass the issue entirely. This can often be seen as a strategy to buy time or to protect oneself emotionally, although it may not lead to a resolution of the underlying problem. Understanding avoidance helps in recognizing different conflict-handling styles and their potential implications in personal and group dynamics.