| Studies on conflict resolution styles have suggested different results. Some researchers suggest that people exhibit behavioral consistency across contexts (e.g., Sternberg et al., 1984, 1987; Terhune, 1970), while others have argued for the situationist viewpoint (e.g., Mischel, 1968). Interactionists, however, propose that behavior is contingent on both the situation and personal factors (e.g., Deutsch, 1973; Lewin, 1951; Thomas, 1977).;One purpose of this study was to examine the question of conflict style consistency across contexts with an urban, educated, professional business sample in a non-Western culture. It was also predicted that, although people would show some degree of stylistic consistency across contexts, preferred conflict modes would vary in different situations. In addition, the individual-difference factors of biological gender and gender-role orientation (determined by a modified PAQ, Spence and Helmreich, 1978) were examined as antecedent variables for explaining conflict styles used.;This field study was conducted in two parts. In the exploratory section, resolution styles were validated for an urban professional sample, and gender-stereotypic conflict behaviors of "typical" men and women in two contexts (home and work), for two issues (finances and time) were determined. Then, for different subjects who fit the same profile, self-reported conflict behaviors were assessed to see if they were in concordance with normative expectations for the sub-culture.;Results generally supported the hypotheses based on norms of this sub-culture: while subjects demonstrated consistency in styles preferred across contexts, they also exhibited differences in the degree to which styles were characteristic in the conflict situations described. Findings, from both the conflict-styles instrument and the modified PAQ, suggested that, despite the strong social mores of this traditional society, this professional sample was not strongly sex-typed in gender-role orientation or preferred conflict styles. Males and females did not report a preference for traditional gender-stereotypic behaviors; rather, contrary to previous research on behaviors of men and women in India, both sexes reported use of similar conflict resolution styles. These results may be explained by sample-specific characteristics. Finally, exploratory analyses did not provide evidence for gender-role orientation being a more powerful explanatory variable for behavior than gender alone. |
