| Conflict is a universal experience across the lifespan. To understand clearly how individuals resolve conflict, the underlying variables influencing conflict resolution need to be explored. Agreeableness and cognitive ability, both powerful predictors of overt behavior, were explored for their influence on the selection of conflict resolution tactics and the display of overt behaviors in a naturalistic environment. Data were collected from 157 children enrolled in second grade classes in central Illinois. Teachers and children provided responses measuring Agreeableness. Each child participant also completed a cognitive ability screener and responded to a series of conflict resolution vignettes. Finally, each child participant was observed during his or her physical education class at least three times during the second half of the academic school year. Data were examined using correlations, repeated-measures ANCOVAs, and regression analyses. Results indicating partial support for hypotheses about both Agreeableness and cognitive ability as separate predictors; however, there was no evidence of significant interaction effects for this study. Limitations and proposed directions for future research are discussed. |
