The effect of gender and communication mode on conflict resolution

摘要

This paper examines the effect of gender and conflict on the process and outcomes of people using various forms of communication media. Of interest in the study is the effect which gender exerts on the evaluation of the capability of the communication environment to provide relational support under conditions of conflict. It was predicted that members of female-only and male-only dyads would demonstrate satisfaction differences and variances in their ratings of the communication environment as a function of their gender distinctions. The results indicate that there were no differences in performance levels across media and gender composition. However, there was an interaction between media and gender concerning evaluations of the communication environment's ability to support affection, domination, similarity, and trust.