Socio-cognitive conflict regulation: construction and validation of a Dutch instrument

P.M. Poortvliet, Gedrag & Organisatie, volume 22, June 2009, nr. 2, pp. 136-145 When two individuals have a difference of opinion, they can deal with this in various ways. This process has been called 'socio-cognitive conflict regulation'. In this research, the construction and validation of a Dutch instrument that aims to measure socio-cognitive conflict regulation is presented. The results showed that two factors can be distinguished. The first, epistemic conflict regulation, concerns the striving of individuals to understand each other's points of view and look for ways in which they can integrate their own and the other's problem solution. The second factor, relational conflict regulation, comprises the attitude of individuals to disregard the other's perspective and wanting to show that they themselves, and not the other, are right. Implications for organisational research are discussed.