Citation

Scott W. Confl. Resolut. Q. 2008; 25(3): 375-400.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/crq.213

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study used attribution theory to investigate how attributions of responsibility influence early adolescents' communication strategy preference during friendship conflicts. It was hypothesized that selfresponsibility would be related to more cooperative ways of communicating (integrative strategies), whereas perceptions of other-responsibility would be related to less cooperative ways of communicating (distributive or passive strategies). Participants ( N = 67) between the ages of twelve and fourteen read hypothetical conflict scenarios and described how they would communicate to resolve the conflict. Partial support for the hypothesis was found; however, complex details, such as the conflict theme and use of multicommunication strategies, were important variables in the resolution process. Conflict resolution programs, mediators, and clinicians might consider these complex aspects in trainings and practice.