Cooperative-Competitive Behaviour and Conflict Resolution Style among Mizo Children: A Cultural Perspective

Abstract

The study examines the differences in cooperative-competitive behaviour and styles of con flict resolution among Mizo children varying along the dimensions of school and grade. A group of 90 subjects, two at a time, participated in a modified version of the Prisoners Dilemma game. They were also administered a 16-item conflict questionnaire. Children from English medium schools were found to be more competitive and used a cut-throat competition strategy more frequently than rural/urban government school children. The results did not reveal grade to be a significant variable. Cooperative behaviour, in general, was found to be related to higher payoffs. The effects of school, grade and their interactions were observed to be significant in the use of different conflict resolution styles, namely, direct, mediated and no-conflict. The results have been discussed in terms of their distinct socio-cultural characteristics.

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