Choice of conflict-handling strategy: a matter of context

In this study, a follow-up to Callanan and Perri (2006), the authors investigated whether individuals are inclined to choose a conflict-handling approach based on their primary orientation as given by a standardized instrument, or whether they choose a style different from their primary orientation. The authors also assessed whether individuals are inclined to choose the appropriate or "optimal" strategy as based on contextual factors embodied in the conflict situation. Participants in the study were 184 graduate and undergraduate students from two universities located in the United States. Results show that when individuals are presented with conflict scenarios based on real-life events, they can and do choose conflict-handling strategies that are different from their presumed dominant strategy. Further, results show that individuals are generally able to read contextual factors and social cues to select the most "situationally appropriate" conflict-handling response. This study presents implications for future research and discusses issues related to the management of interpersonal and intragroup conflict.