Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This article investigates the correlation of personality variables and inter-group conflict resolution modes. In the first of two -research approaches, EPPS scores of 64 college students on aggression, dominance, affiliation, and achievement were correlated with preferences for confronting, forcing, and smoothing. A field study correlated EPPS variables of 19 boundary personnel with ratings on resolution modes by 57 interorganizational correspondents. As hypothesized, achievement was positively correlated with confronting under both research approaches. Only students' aggression scores correlated weakly and positively with preference for forcing. Affiliation and smoothing were also weakly and positively correlated with the students but not in the field.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

BLAKE, R. R. , & MOUTON, J. S. The managerial grid. Houston: Gulf , 1964.

CARTWRIGHT, D. , & ZANDER, A. Group dynamics, Part 5. Leadership and performance of group function (3rd ed.). New York: Harper & Row , 1968.

COSER, L. A. The functions of social conflict. New York: Free Press , 1956.

COSER, L. A. Continuities in the study of social conflict. New York: Free Press , 1967.

EDWARDS, A. L. Edwards personal preference schedule (Rev. manual). New York: The Psychological Corp. , 1959.

EVAN, W. M. Toward a theory of inter-organizational relations . Management Science, 1965, 11(10), B-217-B-230 .

GIBB, C. A. The principles and traits of leadership. In Gibb, C. A. (Ed.), Leadership. Middlesex, England: Penquin , 1969.

HICKS, L. E. Some properties of ipsative, normative, and forced-choice normative measures . Psychological Bulletin, 1970, 74, 167-184 .

KAUFMANN, H. Aggression and altruism. New York: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston , 1970.

10.

LAWRENCE, P. R. , & LORSCH, J. W. Organization and environment. Homewood, Ill.: Irwin , 1969.

11.

McCLELLAND, D. C. Personality. New York: Dryden , 1951.

12.

McCLELLAND, D. C. That urge to achieve. In D. R. Domm , R. N. Blakeney , M. T. Matteson , & R. Scofield (Eds.), The individual and the organization. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall-Hunt , 1971.

13.

MURRAY, H. A. Explorations in personality. New York: Oxford , 1938.

14.

NUNNALLY, J. C. Psychometric theory. New York: McGraw-Hill , 1967.

15.

PONDY, L. R. Varieties of organizational conflict . Administrative Science Quarterly, 1969, 14, 499-505 .

16.

PRESTHUS, R. The organizational society. New York: Vintage , 1962.

17.

ROBBINS, S. P. Managing organizational conflict. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall , 1974.

18.

SCHACHTER, S. The psychology of affiliation. Stanford: Stanford University Press , 1959.

19.

SEILER, J. A. Systems analysis in organizational behavior. Homewood, Ill.: Irwin and Dorsey , 1967.

20.

SMITH, C. G. A comparative analysis of some conditions and consequences of intra-organizational conflict . Administrative Science Quarterly, 1966, 10, 504-529 .

21.

TERHUNE, K. W. The effects of personality in cooperation and conflict. In P. Swingle , (Ed.), The structure of conflict. New York: Academic Press , 1970.

Personality Correlates of Conflict Resolution Modes

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References