Abstract
This study investigated some psychometric properties associated with one of the most popular instruments used to assess conflict, the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict MODE Survey. A total of 603 individuals completed an adapted version of the MODE that used a 5-point Likert scale rather than a forced-choice response format. Factor analyses revealed that items assessing three of the conflict modes proposed by Kilmann and Thomas (competition, compromise, and collaboration) loaded as predicted, however, items measuring avoidance and accommodation did not. No evidence was found for the two-dimensional underlying structure proposed by Thomas (1976). In addition, discriminant analysis revealed significant differences in conflict management styles based on gender, education, and student status. There were no significant differences for age, years of supervisory or work experience, or organizational tenure. The differences with regard to student status were especially interesting because much of the MODE validity research has relied on student samples.
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