CONFLICT BEHAVIOR IN PERSONS WITH DIFFERENT LOCUS OF CONTROL

Abstract

The article presents the results of an empirical study of the behavior of conflict behavior in people with different levels of subjective control. To test the hypothesis that people with different loci of control behave differently in conflict, the analysis of the results of the study consisted of three successive steps. The first is to find out the general trends in the localization of control in today’s youth. Second, establishing the nature of the relationship between the locus of control and different behaviors in interpersonal conflict. Third, comparing study groups with external and internal levels of subjective control. The study showed that most students have an external locus of control, do not consider them able to decisively influence significant life events, considering them as the result of chance or action of others. They are willing to acknowledge their own achievements and their actions as an important factor in organizing production activities, maintaining formal and informal relationships with people, but they do not take responsibility for failures, especially in health and family relationships. It was established in the process of correlation analysis that the level of subjective control is directly related to the choice of competitive behavior in conflict, aggressive protection in a situation of threat to one’s own “I”, manipulative personality in communication, aggressive and suspicious attitude to people and – capacious – with tendencies to compromise and evasion in the conflict, a peaceful form of protection in a situation of threat to one’s own “I”, altruistic, friendly attitude to people, alterocentric, conformist communicative orientation. It was revealed by comparing groups of subjects with different levels of locus of control that internals during the conflict are more likely to use competitive behaviors, aggressive defense in the face of threats to their own “I”, more often manifest themselves as demanding, straightforward in interaction with people evaluations focused on equal communication based on mutual trust, respect, mutual understanding and openness. Externals are more inclined to resolve conflict situations, exchange concessions, and develop compromise solutions. They are friendlier, sympathetic, caring, and better able to encourage or reassure others, demonstrate voluntary and selfless focus on the partner, the desire to understand his interests for their fullest satisfaction, denial of equality in relationships, willingness to change their views, obey the author.