The Choice of Conflict Resolution Strategy in the University Environment: the Role of Social Norms, In-group Identity and Aggression

The paper covers the issue of conflicts based on the violation of social norms in the university environment. We assume that the importance of the norm and the frequency of occurrence of conflict determine the choice of conflict resolution strategy. We claim that such factors as in-group identity and personal aggression predict the choice of the strategy. We conducted a mixed-method research with interviews on the first step that helped us formulate the list of norms that exist. The norms are distributive justice, reciprocity and conformity. On quantitative step we conducted an online survey. SEM defined the universal effects for 5 conflict situations. Aggression predefines the perceived frequency of the occurrence of the conflict situation and the choice of competing strategy; in-group identity leads to lower perceived frequency of the conflict. Personal importance determines higher competing and lower avoiding, while perceived frequency is positively associated with avoiding.