Understanding response patterns in dyadic conflict: An interactive approach combining self-construal and opponent's dominance-submissiveness.
Previous works on the effect of self-construal in interpersonal behaviours tend to adopt a main effect approach. The present research proposes an interactive approach in understanding two response patterns in dyadic conflict by combining self-construal and the stance of the opponent. Independent self-construal was hypothesised to be associated with a self-centred pattern of conflict response, which is characterised by taking contending responses regardless of whether the stance of the opponent is dominant or submissive. Relational self-construal was hypothesised to be associated with a tuning-in pattern of conflict response, which is characterised by showing contending responses when the opponent is submissive but yielding responses when the opponent is dominant. With trait self-construal measured and opponent's stance manipulated, Study 1 provided initial support for the hypotheses. Study 2 showed a three-way interaction effect between trait self-construal, manipulated self-construal and the opponent's stance on actual conflict responses during discussion of a scenario. The effect of self-construal manipulation was only observed among people who were low in trait independent self-construal and average in trait relational self-construal. The results pinpoint the importance of considering personal and opponent factors simultaneously in understanding the dynamics of dyadic conflict processes.
['Au|Al K C|AK|', 'Lam|Shui-Fong|SF|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D003220:Conflict, Psychological D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007398:Interpersonal Relations D008297:Male D018187:Personal Construct Theory D011594:Psychometrics D012649:Self Concept D012930:Social Dominance D055815:Young Adult
Dyadic conflict Dominance-submissiveness Independent self-construal Relational self-construal Opponent's stance