Cultural Influences on Conflict
The ways in which people communicate during conflicts vary widely from one culture to another. Rational, calm, yet assertive approach that is the ideal for European American disagreements. African American culture, conflict is characterised by a greater tolerance for expressions of intense emotions. In individualistic cultures like that of the USA, the goals, rights, and need for each person are considered important, and most people would agree that it is an individual's right to stand up for himself or herself. Low context cultures like that of the USA place a premium on being direct and literal. By contrast, hight context cultures like that of Japan value self-restraint and avoid confrontation. With differences like these, it's easy to imagine how two friends, lovers, or fellow workers from different cultural backgrounds might have trouble, finding a conflict style that is comfortable for them both.