Gender, strategy selection, and discussion satisfaction in interpersonal conflict

The effect of gender on strategy selection and satisfaction with conflict was investigated in a field study of 108 employees from a large corporation. Subjects were grouped into dyads and discussed a topic of personal relevance. Results indicated that the gender com­position of the dyad had a significant effect on the selection of influence strategies over three time periods. Male-male dyads used assertiveness and reason consistently over time, while female-female dyads shifted from high levels of assertiveness and reason to bargain­ing. Male-female dyads used reason and bargaining throughout their interactions. Friendliness was a strategy selected frequently across time by all of the dyads. There were no reported satisfaction differences among the three dyad types.