The Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory
The Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory
The Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory
Introduction
Conflict is an essential feature of human interaction. It is
present in social situations that range from stranger-tostranger to interpersonal relationships to intergroup
settings.
Conflict Dynamic
Substantive disagreements
disagreements, differences of opinions, divergent
interpretations, struggles for control, and multiple
perspectives (Geist, 1995)
Emotional reaction
Emotionally restrained
- hide/mask overt emotional expression
Hammers Study
- 106 items were developed to test:
- 54 items- direct/indirect strategies
- 52 items- emotionally expressive/emotionally
restrained
A model of ICS
- Four basic,
cross-cultural
conflict
resolution
styles
Discussion Style
- When disagreements occur:
- emphasizes a verbally direct approach
- emotionally restrained manner
Engagement Style
- When disagreements occur:
- emphasizes a verbally direct approach
- emotionally expressive manner
Accommodation Style
- When disagreements occur:
- emphasizes a verbally indirect approach
- emotionally restrained manner
Dynamic Style
- When disagreements occur:
- emphasizes a verbally indirect approach
- emotionally expressive manner
Questions
- Do you belong more towards a certain style of conflict
resolution (ie. discussion, engagement, accommodation or
dynamic)? Do you think that has something to do with your
cultural upbringing?
- When interacting with another type of conflict style, does it
typically make you aggravated or annoyed? Can you think of
a specific example? Did you have to accommodate for the
other persons style?
- In the context of a classroom, do you think using the ICS 4dimensional model would be beneficial? Why or why not?