Cultural Difference in Conflict Management Strategies of Children and Its Development: Comparing 3- and 5-Year-Olds Across China, Japan, and Korea

Abstract

Research Findings: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in the development of conflict management strategies, focusing on 3- and 5-year-olds, through a comparison of 3 neighboring Asian cultures, those of China (n = 114), Japan (n = 98), and Korea (n = 90). The dual concern model of conflict management was adopted to probe which strategy children would prefer to use in 2 hypothetical conflict situations. Results indicated that, first, for disagreement, 3-year-olds in the 3 countries equally preferred the dominating strategy. For competition for resources, 3-year-olds differed in their strategy preference across all cultures. Second, the observed strategy preference of 3- to 5-year-old children in this study was more or less different from that of older schoolchildren, regardless of culture. Practice or Policy: These findings suggest the significance of the context, the complexity of the phenomenon of the development of cultural differences, and the significance of cohort sampling.

Levels of Physical Fitness and Weight Status in Children and Adolescents: A Comparison between China and Japan

“…China and Japan, two close neighbors sharing multiple traits, together with South Korea, are often clustered into a single “Eastern Asian” cultural group and compared with Western cultures [ 1 , 2 ]. Grouping Eastern Asian cultures into one cluster might overlook important differences between countries.…”

Dyadic Friendship Travel: The Role of Personal and Friendship Characteristics on Conflict Management Styles

“…Chen & Mak, 2020; M. Kim & Koo, 2020; Maruyama et al, 2015). Interestingly, male–male friendships also grew more robust due to vacation.…”

“…The roles of individual characteristics in attaining these outcomes were not delineated; however, personal and contextual features greatly influence interpersonal conflict management (Baillien et al, 2011; M. Kim & Koo, 2020; Maruyama et al, 2015; Moberg, 2001; Vokic & Sontor, 2010).…”

“…This theory provides a solid foundation to develop instruments with which to evaluate conflict resolution strategies. The theory has been empirically applied to various topics: social motives (Batkhina & Lebedeva, 2019; De Dreu et al, 2000); the relationships among culture, gender, age, power, and emotional competence (Holt & DeVore, 2005; Maruyama et al, 2015; Nelson et al, 2015; Vu & Carmichael, 2009); workplace bullying (Baillien et al, 2008, 2011); conflict management among commercial building industry stakeholders (Gunarathna et al, 2018); workplace conflict (Beitler et al, 2018); and tourists’ values and motivations around practicing pro-environmental behavior, wherein dual-concern theory has been combined with attachment theory (M. Kim & Koo, 2020).…”

“…Gender characteristics, cultural differences, and workplace issues that steer people toward certain forms of conflict (Baillien et al, 2011; Guerrero & Gross, 2014; M. Kim & Koo, 2020; Maruyama et al, 2015) especially deserve attention. Although culture is highly influential, the setting and other characteristics can take precedence over cultural norms when dealing with interpersonal conflict (Cingöz-Ulu & Lalonde, 2007).…”