Conflict Resolution Styles

Discussion

The study attempts to understand the differences between conflict resolution styles used by men and women. Questionnaires were administered to 50 heterosexual couples- 25 married, 25 unmarried. Pie charts and bar graphs have been used to analyze the collected data. The results indicate that majority of males and females, both use collaborating style, followed by compromising and accommodation, forcing and lastly avoidance. About 22% use more than one dominant conflict resolution style. The subjects have scored high or moderately high on their dominant resolution styles.

For females, the most preferred style is Collaboration followed by accommodating, compromising, forcing and avoidance. For males, the most preferred style is Collaboration

(2005) found that men and women exhibit conflict resolution styles that complement their gender role expectations. Women favour accommodating style where as men prefer collaborating and avoiding styles in accordance with their gender role expectation. However, due to changing role expectation and with couples having more egalitarian view of their roles and responsibilities it can be explained why women prefer collaborating style.

Barry (1998) found that women tended to use collaborative style more and less likely to use avoiding style whereas men used compromising style. These differences can be a result of cultural differences. Men and women use/prefer a particular conflict resolution style based on societal norms. There has been a transition of roles overtime which explains the difference in preference of resolution styles of men and women through the years.

Other factors like media, work and career, social networking, communication between the couple, attitudes and beliefs, values could also influence the conflict resolution styles.

It helped us become aware, understand and learn about the five conflict resolution styles. We also understood how different genders tend to manage conflicts differently. It gave us an opportunity to conduct extensive research on the topic and gain perspective on the same. We were introduced to the field of research and analysis.

The research study also gave the subjects a chance to reflect upon their personal conflict resolving behaviour (that often tends to be overlooked). While conducting our research, a subject thanked one of us for giving her an opportunity to put some thought into the way she and her partner responded to a conflict situation.

Interpersonal conflict manages to stay out of common discussion even though it is completely prevalent among relationships. Segal and Jaffer 2007, say disagreements will occur in any intimate relationship. Two people can 't possibly always have same needs, opinions and expectations. Thus, we understand that successfully resolving differences is essential for preservation and growth of any