Sex Differences and Perceptions of Conflict in Romantic Relationships

• Published in: Journal of social and personal relationships Vol. 17; no. 4-5; pp. 598 - 617
• Main Author: Hojjat, Mahzad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thousand Oaks, CA SAGE Publications 01.08.2000
• Subjects: Conflict Resolution; Couples; Gender differences; Interpersonal Communication; Interpersonal conflict; Marital Relations; Marital Satisfaction; Perceptions; Sex Differences; accuracy; satisfaction; sex differences; conflict
• ISSN: 0265-4075; 1460-3608
• DOI: 10.1177/0265407500174007

The purpose of the present investigation was to replicate and extend what is known about sex differences in conflict management behaviors. In particular, two main questions were addressed in two studies: (1) How do men and women perceive their own and their partner's conflict management behaviors? (2) Is there a relationship between relationship satisfaction and self-partner congruence of perceptions? Consistent with the past literature, the findings indicated that women perceived themselves to be significantly more negative-active in their conflict behaviors than men, whereas men perceived themselves as significantly more positive-passive in their conflict management interactions compared with women. Women showed a greater understanding of their partner's conflict management strategies; their perceptions of men as being more positive-passive, compared with women, were in accord with men's self-perceptions and with the independent judges' ratings of men's conflict behaviors. In addition, consistent with women's self-ratings, the independent judges evaluated women's conflict behaviors as significantly more negative-active when compared with men. The findings also revealed a positive association between understanding of partner's conflict management strategies and satisfaction.