THE INFLUENCE OF INDIVIDUALISM COLLECTIVISM AND SELF-MONITORING ON CONFLICT STYLES

The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of cultural variability and self-monitoring on conflict communication styles. Specifically, the cultural variability dimension of individualism-collectivism was used as the key theoretical dimension in explaining conflict style differences between Taiwan and the United States. In addition, the personality factor of self-monitoring was used as a covariate to analyze possible conflict style differences of individuals. Multivariate analysis of covariance was employed to examine the relationship between the independent variables and the set of conflict dependent variables. Consistent with predictions, Taiwan respondents used an obliging style and an avoiding style more than their United States counterparts. Inconsistent with the predictions, the Taiwanese respondents used integrating and compromising styles more than the United States respondents. Finally, self-monitoring was found to be related to the dominating style of conflict. © 1991.