CULTURE, FACE MAINTENANCE, AND STYLES OF HANDLING INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT: A STUDY IN FIVE CULTURES

Abstract

The objective of this study was to test Ting-Toomey's (1988a) theory on conflict face-negotiation. More specifically, the study examined the relationship between face maintenance dimensions and conflict styles in Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States. The results were summarized as follows: (1) Cultural variability of individualism-collectivism influences two face maintenance dimensions—self-face concern and other-face concern; (2) Cultural variability influences conflict styles, with U.S. members using a higher degree of dominating conflict style than their Japanese and Korean cohorts, and the Chinese and Taiwanese members using a higher degree of obliging and avoiding conflict management styles than their U.S. counterparts; (3) Overall, face maintenance dimensions served as better predictors to conflict styles rather than conflict styles to face dimensions; (4) Self-face maintenance was associated strongly with dominating conflict style, and other-face maintenance was associated strongly with avoiding, integrating, and compromising styles of conflict management. Directions for future testing of the conflict face-negotiation theory were proffered.