Why Do Individuals Follow Cultural Norms: Need for Closure, Script-Based Expectancies, and Conflict Resolution Choices

Posted: 25 Aug 2002

See all articles by Ho-Ying Fu

Ho-Ying Fu

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Michael Morris

Columbia University - Columbia Business School, Management

Sau-lai Lee

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Chi-yue Chiu

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Department of Psychology

Abstract

The current research investigates the proposal that cross-cultural differences in conflict resolution choices are driven by cognitive scripts - expectancies about appropriate actions in a setting and outcomes they will evoke. Cognitive styles such as Need for Cognitive Closure affect the extent to which individuals rely on their own cultural scripts and hence display culturally typical conflict resolution behaviors. We tested this prediction in two conflict resolution domains where robust differences between American and Chinese had been identified. In Study 1, participants completed the NFC scale (Webster & Kruglanski, 1994) and the conflict management styles inventory (Rahim, 1983). Results showed that differences in conflict management styles emerge primarily in high NFC individuals. In Study 2, participants first filled out the NFC scale and then read a conflict scenario and responded to which type of third party conflict mediator they would prefer and the expectancies attached for each conflict mediator. It was found that differences in preference of types of the third party conflict mediator are qualified by the interaction between culture and individual differences in NFC. Among high NFC individuals, Chinese preferred relationally connected third party whereas American preferred relationally unconnected one. However, this differential pattern was reduced among low NFC individuals. Further evidence was provided by the statistical mediation of expectancies of harmony maintenance or restoration on the moderated cultural difference in choosing the third party. We discuss emergence of cross-cultural difference in light of script-based expectancies interacting with individual-level mechanisms.

Keywords: Culture, Conflict resolution, Need for Closure

Suggested Citation

Fu, Ho-Ying and Morris, Michael W. and Lee, Sau-lai and Chiu, Chi-yue, Why Do Individuals Follow Cultural Norms: Need for Closure, Script-Based Expectancies, and Conflict Resolution Choices. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=325381

Ho-Ying Fu (Contact Author)

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Michael W. Morris

Columbia University - Columbia Business School, Management ( email )

3022 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
United States
212-854-2296 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.michaelwmorris.com

Sau-lai Lee

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Chi-yue Chiu

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Department of Psychology ( email )

603 East Daniel
Champaign, IL 61820
United States
217-265-5352 (Phone)

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