Cultural relativity in conflict resolution : cross-cultural and intra-cultural differences

Although there is an extensive literature on the relationship between cultural values and conflict resolution preferences, there is less research on the role of cultural worldviews in predicting these values, and how cultural values interplay with ethical positions when resolving conflict. The purpose of this study was to examine the cross-cultural pattern of relationships among idealistic and relativistic thinking, cultural values, and conflict resolution preferences. Specifically, the current study examined Aristotelian, Hindu, and Confucian cultural subgroups to identify cross-cultural and intra-cultural differences. Results suggested that individuals' ethical positions predicted their cultural values, which in turn predicted their conflict resolution preferences. Moreover, results suggested that there was differential prediction between individualist and relational (i.e., Aristotelian vs. Hindu and Confucian) subgroups and within relational subgroups (i.e., Hindu vs Confucian).