Gender, strategy selection, and discussion satisfaction in interpersonal conflict

The effect of gender on strategy selection and satisfaction with conflict was investigated in a field study of 108 employees from a large corporation. Subjects were grouped into dyads and discussed a topic of personal relevance. Results indicated that the gender composition of the dyad had a significant effect on the selection of influence strategies over three time periods. Male‐male dyads used assertiveness and reason consistently over time, while female‐female dyads shifted from high levels of assertiveness and reason to bargaining. Male‐female dyads used reason and bargaining throughout their interactions. Friendliness was a strategy selected frequently across time by all of the dyads. There were no reported satisfaction differences among the three dyad types.