title: Understanding response patterns in dyadic conflict: An interactive approach combining self-construal and opponent's dominance-submissiveness.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Al K C
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Au
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Shui-Fong
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Lam
mesh_terms: 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
keywords: Dominance-submissiveness; Dyadic conflict; Independent self-construal; Opponent's stance; Relational self-construal