Discussed in this paper are elements of an empirically adequate definition of social conflict, issues of conflict, and interactions between conflict and social relationships. Social conflict is initially defined as overt opposition between at least two people. Additional implications and facets of unilateral and mutual opposition are subsequently explored. Discussion of conflict issues touches briefly on the necessity of considering the meaning of manifest issues, and the possibilities of symbolic and changing issues within any one conflict episode. Highlighted in the discussion of children's conduct in conflict episodes are (1) social developmental findings concerning strategy differences when friends are in conflict with acquaintances, and (2) sociolinguistic findings on the function of oppositions in pretend play episodes and on individuals' active reasoning in their discussions of sociomoral issues. The topic of interactions between conflict and social relationships is discussed in terms of the function of conflict in increasing familiarity, and the effects familiarity may have on conflict behavior. (RH)