THE INFLUENCE OF CONFLICT CONTEXT CHARACTERISTICS ON CONFLICT REGULATION PREFERENCES OF IMMIGRANTS

Conflict regulation preferences of male immigrant Turks living in Germany were analyzed. The nature of social relationship between opponents (German or Turk as opponent) and conflict property (tangible vs. intangible) were systematically varied. Furthermore, acculturation preferences were measured both globally and across several domains of life. Results showed that immigrants’ conflict handling preferences varied along social relationship with opponent and along conflict property. Contrary to the assumptions underlying an acculturation perspective, there were no systematic relationships between conflict handling preferences and global or domain-specific acculturation preferences. However, irrespective of their heritage, a majority of the immigrants were familiar with the conflict regulation styles of their host society. This result suggests that behavioral acculturation often results in the acquisition of bicultural competence.