The Gender Differences in Conflict
The purpose of my research is to examine the differences between men and women when it comes to conflict in their relationships. I am defining a relationship as a friendship, romantic, or unromantic association. Conflict is something that is generally present at one time or another during a relationship. If a conflict is not resolved, this could lead to the dissolution of the relationship. By examining the differences in the way each gender handles conflict, conflict should be easier to overcome. Not only how each gender handles conflict, but how each perceives it as well. If there is a significant difference in the way men handle "x" conflict and women handle "x" conflict, this can be used as a tool by knowing how each other will react. Research on this topic is important because most people are involved in relationships that will go through conflict at some point in the association. No matter how educated one is, conflict is going to be an obstacle to overcome. Knowing the gender differences when it comes to conflict will helps us explore methods and techniques that can be used to resolve conflicts. Conflict is a natural part of a relationship. Conflicts can occur in even the healthiest rel
conflict as a more positive thing they would not feel the need to withdraw or avoid it. Although, Ridley et al.,(2000) states that males might avoid talking to their partner about a potentially threatening or destabilizing issue, but they still think about it constantly. Hessick et al., (2000) shows that relationship experiences such as conflict avoidance are related to the individuals' attachment to the relationship. Whether or not a couple is married or not affects their response to the conflict. Based on the assumptions that partners in an on going relationship have reciprocal influence on each other, it is argued that conflict responses are endorsed by partners with the goal of reducing individual emotional arousal, relational incompatibility, and distress within the marriage (Hojjat,2000). One gender differences that is present in marital conflict is that (Ridely et al., 2000) women read the emotionally reactivity of their husbands in order to keep their conflict from escalating. Yet, depending on how one is satisfied in the marriage, is also going to affect how conflict is looked and acted upon. Partners with self-reports of less positive conflict response were also partners who assessed their marriage less satisfactory. Postive conflict responces, compared with negative responses, will reduce conflict arousal and incompatibility and contribute to a happier less distressed marriage (Hessick et al., 2000). Unfortunately there were no clear-cut reasons as to why one chooses to withdraw from the conflict. Ridley et al., (2001) suggest that partners may withdraw in order to calm themselves, to maintain control, or because they have emotionally turned away from the relationship. Another explanation (Ridley et al., 2001) is that one partner attempts to Both men and women perceive men as more avoidant of emotional discussion and are more willing to smooth things over. Women, however, perceive themselves, compared to men as more expressive of their negative
Some common words found in the essay are:
Wilhelm Surra, Differences Conflict, De Vliert, hojjat 2000, et al, gender differences, al 2000, ridley et, et al 2000, ridley et al, differences women, al 2001, reactions women, gender differences conflict, handles conflict, et al 2001, demand/withdraw pattern, gender handles conflict,
Approximate Word count = 1340
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
