Running Head: GENDER ROLES IN CONFLICTS

The Effects Gender Roles Have on Conflict Resolution

Veronica Watkins, Grace Ann Oneshia, Kelsey Wilkonson, Frankie Ray, & Laura Palmer

Bryant University
Running Head: GENDER ROLES IN CONFLICTS

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between biological sex and appropriateness of

computer mediated communication in conflict. Students responded to a questionnaire concerning

the appropriateness of computer mediated communication in conflict with their roommates.

Students then answered questions about how they handle different conflicts in order to determine

their conflict style. Analyses revealed that there is no significant relationship between biological

sex and belief of computer mediated communication appropriateness in conflict. However, the

study did provide insight about the growing acceptance of computer mediated communication as

a form of communication.

Key words: computer mediated communication, face to face communication, student,

sex, conflict, conflict style

Running Head: GENDER ROLES IN CONFLICTS

Introduction

Although in the past people primarily handled conflict using face to face communication,

technological advances have led people to now decide between using face to face

communication or computer mediated communication to handle their interpersonal conflicts.

Despite research stating that resolution is more likely to occur using face to face communication

(Meluch, Walter, 2012) individuals still commonly resort to computer mediated technologies to

handle conflict. According to research, gender distinctions do exist when people handle conflict

in preferences including avoidance and desire to compromise (Afifi, McManus, Steuber, &

Coho, 2009). In order to better understand the preferring conflict style among genders, this study

will examine whether men and women prefer either computer or face to face conflict, and test

whether there is a difference between the sexes.

Review of Literature

Scholars argue that conflict is largely impacted by an individuals particular conflict style

and their expectations entering into the conflict. In most situations other research has discovered

that attachment styles and an individuals behavior in conflict are directly related to one another

(Bippus & Rollin, 2003). More specifically, the study proved that an individual's self-

classification of their attachment style is a significant predictor of their relationship-directed

behaviors in the context of friendship (Bippus, Rollin, 2003). To explain, results exemplified

that people seemed to have more secure attachment styles would have strong prosocial

maintenance strategies, which leads to better relation satisfaction, and more likely to compromise

(Bippus & Rollin, 2003)

Running Head: GENDER ROLES IN CONFLICTS

Furthermore, other types of attachment styles are not the only factors that impact how

conflict is handled in relationships. In 2010, a study was conducted revealing expectations of

how intense a conflict is going to impact the way in which a person handles such conflict. This

applies whether the person is an initiator or the target of initiation. The statement in the results

supported the theory that expecting a conflict to be intense positively correlated to how a person

perceived the conflict, depending on emotional intensity, if attacking behaviors were present and

whether or not emotional problems occurred post-argument (DiPaola, Roloff, & Peters, 2010).

Conflict is also examined in relation to an individuals gender. A study was conducted by

Pamela S. Shockley and Donald Dean Morely in order to further understand the differences in

conflict style that may arise between men and women. This was taken from two different cases,

one being workers and one being college students. The Thomas Kilmann Conflict Mode

Instrument was handed out to all participants within the research to find out what their conflict

style might be. During an analysis of the sample used, the research found that there were

variances in the choice of conflict style between men and women (Shockely-Zalabak & Morley,

1984).

Overall, this study resulted in the findings that female college students were more likely to

compromise within a conflict. Women were less prone to engaging in a more competitive aspect

of conflict, in which men were more likely to do. Although the study was detailed and concise

there were no significant differences in the results that supported a variety in the way men and

women handle conflict (Shockely-Zalabak & Morley, 1984)..

Conflict among relational partners, with regards to breakups, has been found to be

impacted greatly by technology. In 2013 a study was conducted using both male and female

participants. The research found that text messaging was the most common means of ending a
Running Head: GENDER ROLES IN CONFLICTS

relationship for both genders. Findings suggested that those initiating the breakup via text

message felt that a text was able to end the relationship more permanently as oppose to face-to-

face termination. Those who had more favorable notions towards the resolution of conflict were

found to be more likely to initiate the breakup through text. For youth today, breaking up via

text messaging may be the final resolution to the inevitable conflict that may have occurred prior,

face-to-face, in direct conversation, or via text, and leading up to the technologically-mediated

break up (Weisskirch & Delevi, 2013).

A recent study shows a connection with technology and conflicts between Mexican

American adolescents (Rueda, Lindsay, & Williams, 2015). In current day, almost 90% of

teenagers have the availability to the internet through a computer at home, and 80% have their

own cell phone (Madden, Lenhart, Duggan, Cortesi, & Gasser, 2013). With regards to the

different ways in which social media is used with all types of technology and genders. Jealously

is displayed more by women than men when looking at social media. Despite the jealousy,

females are also more likely to write flirty posts and comments online. Mens jealously levels

tend to be more controlling. Most relate to them telling their significant other who they can and

cannot contact over text message. Within the research, one male participant made a reference to

a relationship online which was defined as their communication extended into online spaces-

even while spending time together face-to-face (Rueda, Lindsay, & Williams, 2015). Women

felt that an unhealthy relationship can be seen as a couple who must always be in constant

communication with one another, through the means of text messaging. Information

communication technology affects the development of relationships where technology does not

help, but can harm conflicts when jealousy, privacy, and tone of dialogue are being brought into

consideration. The levels vary when looking in the perspective of a male or female, however, as
Running Head: GENDER ROLES IN CONFLICTS

a relationship as a whole, technology is affecting relationships with adolescents negatively

(Rueda, Lindsay, & Williams, 2015).

Within communication literature, computer mediated conflict has been compared and

contrasted to the style and consequences of face to face conflict. A.L. Meluch and H.L. Walter

are two researchers who wanted to further understand the topic of conflict. They conducted a

study to do so in 2012. They wanted to answer two questions as the goal of their study. The first

question was; how does face to face communication differ from computer-mediated

communication with regard to conflict style? The second questions was how does the

argumentativeness differ between face to face communication and computer-mediated

communication? To find the responses to these research questions the researchers asked

undergraduate students to take a survey. 122 students were asked to answer a questionnaire that

asked about how they handle conflicts and what type of style their conflict management is. In the

questionnaire participants were assigned either a face-to-face context or a computer-mediated

context. Participants were asked to read their scenario and then answer the questions that

followed.

The results of the questionnaire stated that a persons ability to compromise is much more

likely to happen in face-to-face conflict than when in a computer mediated situation. This was

found because immediate responses to conflict were more likely to happen when a adiscussion

was done face-to-face rather than leaving time during a computer mediated conversation

(Meluch & Walter, 2012). This study resulted in the findings that support that argumentativeness

has a higher likelihood to occur for computer-mediated conflict than face-to-face.

Rationale and Hypotheses

Running Head: GENDER ROLES IN CONFLICTS

According to Zalabak and Morley, females attending college prefer to compromise when

resolving conflict (Zalabak, Morley, 1984). This is important to our research because Meluch

and Walter suggest that an individual's ability to resolve conflict with compromise is much more

likely to occur during face-to-face communication (Meluch, Walter, 2012). Thus, we may

hypothesize that women are more likely to use face to face communication and find computer

communication technologies inappropriate when handling conflict because research highlights

that women desire compromise. In comparison, men when handling conflict, tend to withdraw

when handling conflict. In addition, research found men may also avoid during potentially

conflict-inducing conversations with their partners in order to preserve the relationship and not

make the conflict worse (Afifi, McManus, Steuber, & Coho, 2009). This is important to our

research because avoidance is more easily possible when using computer mediated

communication because it is asynchronous, provides you the opportunity to turn off the source of

communication and walk away/avoid the conflict situation, and has less accountability. Thus, we

might also hypothesize that men are more inclined to find computer mediated technologies

appropriate when handling conflict because research found men tend to withdraw themselves

from the argument (Meluch & Walter, 2012)

H1: Women will perceive computer mediated communication to be less appropriate than men

when handling conflict.

Method

Procedure and Sample

Participants were undergraduate students at various universities who live with a

roommate. The independent variable in our study was biological sex (male or female) and our

dependent variable was appropriateness of computer mediated communication when handling

Running Head: GENDER ROLES IN CONFLICTS

conflict. According to Meluch and Walter (2012), computer mediated communication is defined

as any communication via text messages, email, and/or social media. According to Kenneth W.

Thomas (1992), conflict is defined as the process which begins when one party perceives that

another party has frustrated, or about to frustrate, some concern of his. Other variables

measured were conflict style.

To test the relationship of these variables, we administered a questionnaire containing 3

main vignettes: demographics, computer mediated communication appropriateness, and conflict

style. We created the survey using surveymonkey.com and administered the survey by sharing

the link via email and social media. All who were qualified were given the opportunity to

participate. A total of 181 questionnaires were administered and collected. Of the 181 students,

58 were male (38%) and 123 were female (68%). The average age was 20.41.

Measurement and Analysis

Demographics included questions concerning biological sex, age, and whether or not the

participant had a roommate. For biological sex we had 58 male (38%) and 123 female (68%)

participants. Mean age was 20.41.

Computer mediated communication appropriateness was measured by a version of

Putnam and Wilsons (1982) Organizational Communication Conflict Instrument Scale that we

adapted to meet our studys needs. To adapt the original scale to our study, we asked 50

participants separate from our sample, to identify 10 main reasons why they fight with their

roommate. Based off their responses, we identified 5 main reasons why roommates fight: noise,

third party, cleanliness, common courtesy, and taking without asking. Using the 5 main reasons

why roommates fight, we created 10 hypothetical situations. Participants then responded to 10

Running Head: GENDER ROLES IN CONFLICTS

Likert-type items (1=completely inappropriate, 5=completely appropriate) representing the

appropriateness of computer mediated communication during conflict. Scores ranged from for

men (M =21.97; SD =7.678) and women (M =21.54; SD =9.085), Cronbachs alpha for the

measure was .901.

Conflict style was measured by the Johnson (1990) Conflict Management Style

Questionnaire. Participants responded to 15 Likert-type items (1=always, 5=rarely) which

provided scenarios to test and identify the participants conflict style. Based off the participants

answers they fall into one of five styles: competing, avoiding, accommodating, compromising, or

collaborating. We believe this measure is the best available because it is an updated version of

the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) which was created in the 1960s and many

scholars have since found the scale to be reliable.

Results

In our hypothesis we predicted that women will perceive computer mediated

communication less appropriate when dealing with conflict than men. To test this hypothesis, we

created a questionnaire that provided participants with a series of hypothetical situations

concerning 5 main reasons why roommates fight. This helped decipher whether the participants

found face to face communication or computer mediated communication more appropriate when

handling conflict by answering the questions presented. An independent t-test was used to test

differences based on biological sex related to computer mediated communication. Results

showed that biological sex, men (M =21.97; SD =7.678) and women (M =21.54; SD =9.085),

had no effect on the belief of appropriateness of computer mediated communication during

Running Head: GENDER ROLES IN CONFLICTS

conflict. Our results were found to be insignificant [p > .05] with regards to appropriateness of

computer mediated communication between sexes.

Discussion

Through a questionnaire, we tested our hypothesis examining the effects of biological sex

on the appropriateness of computer mediated communication when handling conflict. Results

found that there was no significant difference between biological sex and the perceived

appropriateness of computer mediated communication in conflict, therefore we had to reject our

hypothesis. These results were unexpected, given that research states that women are more

likely to compromise than men while in conflict and more likely to use face to face

communication (Shockley-Zalabka & Morley, 1984). According to this knowledge, this should

have lead to women finding computer mediated communication to be inappropriate when

handling conflict. Perhaps, conflict style plays the greatest role in how a person handles conflict.

According to our questionnaire, we found that there was no significant difference between the

conflict styles of our participants. In addition, further explanation for the insignificant results

can be identified by the growing use of technology in present day society. Because technology is

so apparent in everyday civilization, individuals may find it more appropriate when handling

conflict regardless of their sex.

This study has several limitations. First, this study relied on data collected from a

questionnaire instead of an actual disagreement with their roommate. Although the data used in

these analyses only included hypothetical scenarios, using a fictitious example is not without its
Running Head: GENDER ROLES IN CONFLICTS

disadvantages. Specifically, when using hypothetical scenarios, students may be unsure how they

would actually respond in the situation, and respond with a more favorable answer.

Second, the research collected to aid in our study was outdated because the area of study

is not prominent. The outdated articles do not account for the growth of technology until todays

society and how it is growing part of todays norms. Because articles collected were largely

published before 2006, the lack of recent data influenced the creation of our hypothesis which

ultimately, impacted our results. Future research should consider the impact of conflict style and

the appropriateness of computer mediated communication as a societal norm while disregarding

biological sex. Also, future research should consider how the perspective on technology has

changed with the millennial generation whether positive or negative as a form of

communication.
Running Head: GENDER ROLES IN CONFLICTS

References

A. Falikowski (2002) Mastering Human Relations, 3RD. Education Pearson Education

Afifi, T. D., McManus, T., Steuber, K., & Coho, A. (2009). Verbal Avoidance and

Dissatisfaction in Intimate Conflict Situations. Human Communication Research,35(3),

357-383. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2958.2009.01355.x

Barkacs, L. L., & Standifird, S. (2008). GENDER DISTINCTIONS AND EMPATHY IN

NEGOTIATION. Journal of Organizational Culture, Communication and Conflict,12(1),

83-92.

Bippus, A. M., & Rollin, E. (2003). Attachment Style Differences in Relational Maintenance and

Conflict Behaviors: Friend's Perceptions. Communication Reports, 16(2), 113.

DiPaola, B. M., Roloff, M. E., & Peters, K. M. (2010). College Students' Expectations of

Conflict Intensity: A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy. Communication Quarterly, 58(1), 59-76.

doi:10.1080/01463370903532245

Glauber, A., Randel, J., & Picard, P. (2007). Tech abuse in teen

relationships study. Liz Claiborne

Madden, M., Lenhart, A., Duggan, M., Cortesi, S., & Gasser, U. (2013). Teens and technology

2013. Pew Internet & American Life Project

Meluch, A. L., & Walter, H. L. (2012). Conflict management styles and argumentativeness:

Examining the differences between face-to-face and computer-mediated communication.

Ohio Communication Journal, 5031-47.

Ogletree, S. M., Fancher, J., & Gill, S. (2014). Gender and texting: masculinity, femininity, and

gender role ideology. Computers in Human Behavior, 374955.

doi:10.1016/j.chb.2014.04.021
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Rueda, H.A., Lindsay, M., & Williams, L. R. (2015). She Posted It on Facebook: Mexican

american adolescents experiences with technology and romantic relationship conflict.

Journal of Adolescent Research, 30(4), 419-445. Doi:10.1177/0743558414565236

Shockley-Zalabak, P. S., & Morley, D. D. (1984). Sex differences in conflict style preferences.

Communication Research Reports, 1(1), 28-32.

Thomas, K. W. (1992). Conflict and conflict management: Reflections and update. Journal of

Organizational Behavior, 13(3), 265274. doi:10.1002/job.4030130307

Weisskirch, R. S., & Delevi, R. (2013). Attachment style and conflict resolution skills predicting

technology use in relationship dissolution. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(6), 2530

2534. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2013.06.027
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Appendix

Hello Participant,

You are invited to participate in a study of Roommate Relationships in Conflict. We hope to

learn and earn a greater understanding of how roommates interact when in conflict. You were

selected as a possible participant in this study because you have a roommate.

If you decide to participate, we will conduct an experiment involving the following procedures:

You will proceed through the survey by selecting responses on each page using a pen or pencil.

The directions for each question are outlined above each section of the survey. The survey will

take approximately 15 minutes to complete

Any information obtained in connection with this study will remain confidential and will not be

disclosed to the general public in a way that can be traced to you. In any written reports or

publications, no participant other than the researchers will be identified, and only anonymous

data will be presented.

This consent form, with your acceptance, will be stored separately and independently from the

data collected so that your responses will not be identifiable.

Your participation is totally voluntary, and your decision whether or not to participate will not

affect your future relations with Bryant University or its employees in any way. If you decide to
Running Head: GENDER ROLES IN CONFLICTS

participate, you are also free to discontinue participation at any time without affecting such

relationships. However, it is requested that you notify the investigator of this.

If you have any questions, please contact Grace-Ann Onishea at gonishea@bryant.edu or at

(631)994-6470. If you have any additional questions later, we will be happy to answer them. If

you wish to have a copy of this form to keep please contact Grace-Ann Onishea at the above

contact.

Please answer the below question if you have decided to or against participating. Your

acceptance indicates only that you are at least 18 years of age and have read the information

provided above. Your response to the question below does not obligate you to participate, and

you may withdraw from the study at any time without consequences.

By circling "Yes" you are accepting to participate in this study. By circling "No" you are

choosing to not participate in the study and it will lead you to the end of the survey. Thank you!

Yes No

Instructions: Below is a list of 10 scenarios concerning the 5 main reasons people argue with

roommates over. For each scenario, indicate how appropriate or inappropriate you believe it

would be to use computer mediated communication to handle the conflict by circling the term.
Running Head: GENDER ROLES IN CONFLICTS

In addition, please complete the following questions to best reflect your opinions as accurately as

possible. Note that computer mediated communication is defined as any communication via text

message, email and social media. Also, conflict is defined as an argument that occurs over

feelings of conflicting perspectives.

Rank the following questions on a scale of one to five 1 being completely appropriate (CA), 5

being Completely inappropriate (CI), and 3 being neutral (N).

1) Your roommate wakes up an hour before you do and repeatedly has woken you up by

slamming closed drawers and getting their books ready for class.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

2) Your roommate has a habit of hitting snooze in the morning and the alarm wakes you up

repeatedly every morning.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

3) You go to get a snack and your roommate has taken your last bag of chips without asking.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

4) You had a bottle of soda in your fridge on Thursday, but on Sunday you realize your

roommate drank your bottle of soda without asking.

CA N CI
Running Head: GENDER ROLES IN CONFLICTS

1 2 3 4 5

5) The garbage is overflowing and its your roommate turn to take it out, but they never do

their chore.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

6) You do chores on Monday, but its already Thursday and youre aggravated because your

roommate hasnt cleaned the toilets and showers yet.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

7) You have an exam in the morning, but your roommate wont turn the lights off in the room

and its already 2am.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

8) It is your third time in a row buying toilet paper and paper towels for the suite and the last

rolling is running low.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5
Running Head: GENDER ROLES IN CONFLICTS

9) All you want to do is go to bed but your roommate is in the room with their significant

other with the door locked and lights off.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

10) Your roommate has had their friends over before going out on the weekends for the fifth

weekend in a row without warning.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

Conflict Management Style Questionnaire

By Johnson (1990)

Instructions: Listed below are 15 statements. Each strategy provides a possible strategy for

dealing with a conflict. Give each a numerical value

(i.e., 1=Always, 2=Very often, 3=Sometimes, 4= Not very often, 5= Rarely, if ever.)

Don't answer as you think you should, answer as you actually behave
Running Head: GENDER ROLES IN CONFLICTS

1=Always, 2=Very often, 3=Sometimes, 4= Not very often, 5= Rarely

1) I argue my case with peers, colleagues and coworkers to demonstrate the merits of the

position I take.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

2) I try to reach compromises through negotiation.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

3) I attempt to meet the expectation of others.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

4) I seek to investigate issues with others in order to find solutions that are mutually acceptable.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

5) I am firm in resolve when it comes to defending my side of the issue.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5
Running Head: GENDER ROLES IN CONFLICTS

6) I try to avoid being singled out, keeping conflict with others to myself.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

7) I uphold my solutions to problems.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

8) I compromise in order to reach solutions.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

9) I trade important information with others so that problems can be solved together.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

10) I avoid discussing my differences with others.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

11) I try to accommodate the wishes of my peers and colleagues.

Running Head: GENDER ROLES IN CONFLICTS

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

12) I seek to bring everyone's concerns out into the open in order to resolve disputes in the best

possible way.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

13) I put forward middles positions in efforts to break deadlocks.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

14) I accept the recommendations of colleagues, peers, and coworkers.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5

15) I avoid hard feelings by keeping my disagreements with others to myself.

CA N CI

1 2 3 4 5