The Analysis of Interpersonal Conflict Resolution Approaches of University Students by Grade Level and Gender

Purposes of this study are to examine the interpersonal conflict solving approaches of university students and to detect whether these preferences changes according to grade level and gender. The sample of the study involves data obtained from 200 students from Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Faculty of Education in 2009-2010 academic year spring term. Survey is used as data collection method of the study and "conflict communication scale" made by Goldstein (1999) is revised to Turkish by Arslan,2005 as "interpersonal conflict solving approach scale" is used as scale instrument. According to this, interactions in conflict process consist of Confrontation, Public/Private Behavior, Emotional Expression, Conflict Approach/ Avoidance, Self- Disclosure approaches which focus on communication styles in communication process. ANOVA and t-test statistics analysis are made to investigate the alteration of students interpersonal conflict management approaches according to grade level and gender. Study results point out that "confrontation" approach scores are the highest and "Public/Private Behavior" approach scores are the lowest according to others. There are significant differences between "conflict approach/avoidance" approach scores of first and fourth grade students and "Public/Private Behavior" approach scores between second and third grade and third and fourth grade students. When it was analyzed with the perspective of gender, it is concluded that there is a significant differences in favor of male students in approach scores of "Public/Private Behavior" and "confrontation".