To read this content please select one of the options below:

EMOTIONS IN THE CONFLICT PROCESS: AN APPLICATION OF THE COGNITIVE APPRAISAL MODEL OF EMOTIONS TO CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

Chris Bell (York University, Toronto)
Fei Song (Ryerson University, Toronto)

International Journal of Conflict Management

ISSN: 1044-4068

Article publication date: 1 January 2005

2672

Abstract

This study systematically explored the role of a range of emotions in the conflict process. In order to do so, we articulated and tested a typology of discreet conflict‐relevant emotion constructs. Emotions were demarcated by the two dimensions of self‐concern versus other‐concern, and motives to approach or withdraw from the other party or conflict. This typology produced four emotion constructs: hostility (self‐focused approach), self‐conscious emotions (self‐focused avoid), relational positivity (other‐focused approach) and fear (other‐focused avoid). Self‐ and other‐blame and self‐ and other‐concern were proposed as cognitive antecedents of emotions and choice of conflict resolution strategy. We measured individual behavior in the conflict using the conflict resolution strategy scale (Rahim & Magner, 1995). A critical incident survey technique was used to gather data on people's self‐report of a conflict experience. We also explored the contextual effects of conflict issue and relative status. Results brought into question the general hypothesis that emotions mediate the effects of cognitive appraisals on choice of conflict resolution strategy. However, there were consistent patterns in the direct links between cognitions, emotions and conflict resolution strategies that shed further light on the complex relationships between these variables.

Citation

Bell, C. and Song, F. (2005), "EMOTIONS IN THE CONFLICT PROCESS: AN APPLICATION OF THE COGNITIVE APPRAISAL MODEL OF EMOTIONS TO CONFLICT MANAGEMENT", International Journal of Conflict Management, Vol. 16 No. 1, pp. 30-54. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb022922

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles