Conflict Resolution Style

Conflict resolution style scale is a tool used to measure how individuals handle conflict in their relationships. It is a selfreport assessment that provides insight into how a person typically responds to conflict situations. The scale measures five distinct styles of conflict resolution: avoidance, competition, compromise, collaboration, and accommodation. Avoidance is a style of conflict resolution in which an individual attempts to avoid the conflict altogether. This style is often used when an individual is feeling overwhelmed or doesnt want to deal with the situation. Competition is a style of conflict resolution in which an individual attempts to win the conflict by asserting their own desires and needs over those of the other person. This style is often used when an individual is feeling competitive or wants to prove their point. Compromise is a style of conflict resolution in which an individual attempts to find a middle ground between two opposing views. This style is often used when an individual is feeling cooperative or wants to find a solution that works for both parties. Collaboration is a style of conflict resolution in which an individual attempts to work together with the other person to find a solution that works for both parties. This style is often used when an individual is feeling cooperative or wants to find a solution that works for both parties. Accommodation is a style of conflict resolution in which an individual attempts to put the other persons needs and desires first. This style is often used when an individual is feeling generous or wants to show respect for the other persons point of view. The Conflict Resolution Style Scale is a helpful tool for individuals to gain insight into how they typically handle conflict in their relationships. By understanding their own conflict resolution style, individuals can become more aware of their own behavior and better equipped to handle conflict in a more productive and healthy manner.
1. Imagine that you’re in line for a drink of water. Someone your age comes along and pushes you out of line.
What would you probably do if this happened to you? (check all that apply)
■ Say something nasty to him.
■ Ask him why he pushed you.
■ Nothing‚ just walk away.
■ Tell him it’s your place in line.
■ Push him out of line.
2. You’re walking to the store. Someone your age walks up to you and calls you a name.
What would you probably do if this happened to you? (check all that apply)
■ Call him a name.
■ Ask him what’s going on.
■ Walk away from him.
■ Tell him to cut it out.
■ Hit him.
3. You see your friend fighting with another boy his age.
What would you probably do if this happened to you? (check all that apply)
■ Cheer for your friend to win.
■ Find out why your friend and the other kid are fighting.
■ Go away and let your friend and the other kid fight it out.
■ Try to get both of them to calm down and stop fighting.
■ Join your friend fighting against the other kid.
4. You see another guy trying to kiss and put his arm around your girlfriend.
What would you probably do if this happened to you? (check all that apply)
■ Say something rude to him.
■ Ask him why he’s messing with your girlfriend.
■ Nothing‚ just ignore the situation.
■ Let him know that she’s your girlfriend.
■ Push him away from your girlfriend.
5. Suppose that you were with your girlfriend at a party. She was dancing real close and acting sexy‚ but now
she doesn’t want to make out with you.
What would you probably do if this happened to you? (check all that apply)
■ Say something mean or insulting to her.
■ Ask her why she doesn’t want to make out.
■ Ignore her and go talk to someone else.
■ Tell her that you’re really in the mood for making out with her.
■ Start kissing her and making out anyway.
(Items 4 and 5 were added and minor modifications in wording were made by Flewelling‚ et al.‚ 1993.)
 
These items measure adolescents’ styles of handling conflict situations.
 
This instrument can be found on pages 198-199 of Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes‚ Behaviors‚ and Influences Among Youths: A Compendium of Assessment Tools‚ available online at:http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/YV_Compendium.pdf .
Males aged 12-16.
 
A point should be given for each se‎lection of a verbally and/or physically aggressive response choice. The first responses are the verbally aggressive choices; the last responses are the physically aggressive choices.
Possible ranges are 1-5 or 1-10. Higher scores indicate higher aggressive tendencies..
 

Slaby RG‚ Guerra NG. Cognitive mediators of aggression in adolescent offenders: I. Assessment. Developmental Psychology 1988;24(4):580-588..

 
 
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