The article reflects the results of the retrospective analysis of research of foreign and domestic scientists in the field of a perspective of the conflict. Despite the presence of a sufficient number of publications of interest to the authors the problem, it has not lost its importance due to the complexity and ambiguity of the phenomenon «conflict». Based on the analysis of existing studies, the authors came to the conclusion that the first research aimed at the study of the conflict date back to the works of ancient thinkers. Not a coincidence as the first stage in the development of the conflict the authors and distinguish between Antique and Ancient Chinese philosophy. Already in the writings of these philosophers’ conflict is seen as a social problem, the objective associated with interpersonal relationships and people’s desire to meet their needs. Currently, in the works of both foreign and domestic many scientists conflict is seen primarily as a social phenomenon. A brief analysis of some psychological studies on the issue of the conflict and the subject of this publication.