4.14 Research Spotlight

An interesting application of intercultural communication is in the ways people handle conflict. Croucher and colleagues (2012) tested the idea that culture influences conflict styles. Previous research shows conflict styles vary by culture. Stella Ting-Toomey et al. (1991) found European Americans (low-context culture) tend to use integrating, compromising, and emotionally expressive styles, whereas Asian Americans (high-context culture) tend to use avoiding conflict styles. Previously, research indicated individuals from the United States (low-context culture) used solution-oriented conflict resolution styles as compared to individuals from Mexico (high-context culture) who avoided confrontation (Chau & Gudykunst, 1987).

Data was gathered from participants in India (n = 657), Ireland (n = 311), Thailand (n = 232), and the United States (n = 592), totaling 1,792 participants. Participants provided demographic information and filled out a 38-item conflict style instrument designed by Oetzel (1998). Surveys were translated from English to Hindi and Thai.

Results suggested individuals from high-context cultures such as India and Thailand are more likely to use indirect conflict strategies such as avoiding and obliging. On the other hand, individuals from low-context cultures such as the United States and Ireland preferred the direct strategy of a dominating style of conflict management.