A measure of styles of handling interpersonal conflict

Blake and Mouton (1964) first presented a conceptual scheme for classifying styles of handling interpersonal conflicts into 5 types: problem-solving, smoothing, forcing, withdrawal, and sharing. Factorially independent scales are constructed to measure the 5 styles of handling conflict, and an attempt is made to provide evidence of their reliability and validity. The factors affecting styles of handling conflict with superiors, subordinates, and peers have not been thoroughly studied. The empirical validity of the scales is tested against measures of role status and sex. Factor analyses of data from a national sample of executives clearly reflect the 5 a priori dimensions of conflict styles. The test-retest and internal consistency reliability coefficients for the 5 scales are satisfactory and compare favorably with other existing instruments. The discriminant analyses yield evidence of empirical validity of the scales. Moreover, 4 of the scales are free from social desirability or response distortion bias. The scales can be used in basic research, teaching, and in the diagnosis of styles of handling interpersonal conflict among the members of an organization. Additional evidence of the validity of the scales should be investigated in future studies.