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9.6: Intercultural Conflict Outcomes

  • Page ID
    306476
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    Lakers 2.jpg

    Figure 9.6.1: LeBron James playing basketball for the Lakers.

    The photo above—LeBron James and the Lakers in action—captures the intensity and drive often associated with competition in Western cultures. In the United States, conflict is frequently framed in terms of winning and losing, a mindset that can spill into relationships, where people may try to “win” arguments or assert dominance. In contrast, cultures like Japan’s professional baseball league allow games to end in a tie—a result that reflects balance, mutual respect, and player well-being. These different approaches to winning help illustrate the range of possible conflict outcomes.

    Conflict outcomes refer to how a conflict is resolved and how the people involved perceive the results. Game Theory uses the metaphor of winning and losing games to describe three potential outcomes: win-win, win-lose, and lose-lose (Spangler, 2003). Though this approach has a decidedly Western cultural leaning, it lends understanding to the underlying rules of many conflicts.

    There is no one-size-fits-all outcome for conflict. The resolution depends on the topic, the cultural context, and the people involved. It’s important to consider how much you value the relationship and what’s at stake. Is it a lifelong bond, a professional partnership, or a casual connection? Your conflict management style—and your cultural lens—will shape the outcome. Beyond individual goals and outcomes, cultural values influence how people manage identity and respect in conflict. Face Negotiation Theory provides a lens for understanding how different cultures approach conflict management and the protection of self and other.


    9.6: Intercultural Conflict Outcomes is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Angela Hoppe-Nagao & Kim Yee, Cerritos College..