Intercultural Conflict and Religion
Collectively, studies revealing how conflict style preferences between religious groups differ in various geographic/cultural contexts, irrespective of whether the samples are from a collectivistic or an individualistic nation/ culture (Hofstede, 1991; Zhang, 2007), signify that religious identification plays a role in the development and maintenance of conflict behavior (Croucher, 2011a; Croucher, DeMaris, Holody, et al., 2011).
Moreover, such research shows that conflict style preference can be predicted by religion (religious identification and religiosity). Future research should consider the influence of religion on intercultural conflict. First, Croucher, DeMaris, Holody, et al. (2011) urge scholars and practitioners to consider religion’s influence on conflict styles when conducting conflict management/resolution among religious groups, such as Muslims and Hindus in the Indian Subcontinent (India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh), and among nation-states. The authors assert that scholars and negotiators too often ignore religious differences and traditions. Croucher and Cronn-Mills (2011) also suggest that increased knowledge of how Muslims and Hindus approach conflict in India and in Europe will help decrease the potential for conflict not only between these two groups but also between Muslims, Hindus, and Christians. Second, as immigration from non-Christian nations to predominantly Christian nations continues to grow, scholars and conflict practitioners should consider how the varied approaches to conflict affect communication between the dominant and minority populations. Understanding immigration and immigrant populations is key to a stable future; one way to achieve this is through effective intercultural conflict management (Favell, 1998; Fetzer & Soper, 2005; Laurence & Vaisse, 2006). Third, research on intercultural conflict could explore how the incorporation of religion, as a variable, potentially fits within the framework of conflict face negotiation theory (Ting-Toomey, 1988, 2005; Ting-Toomey & Kurogi, 1998). It could be fruitful to explore how face threats, humiliation, defensive movements, and conflict over such issues differ among religious groups, as culture is a significant aspect of the theory (Cai & Fink, 2002; Cocroft & Ting- Toomey, 1994; Oetzel & Ting-Toomey, 2003; Ohbuchi, 1993).
More on the topic Intercultural Conflict and Religion:
- Oetzel John, Ting-Toomey Stella. The SAGE Handbook of Conflict Communication: Integrating Theory, Research and Practice. SAGE Publications,2013. — 912 p., 2013
- References
- Contents
- Identity as Unitary Personhood, Intercultural Conflict, and Identity Development
- Critique of the CBSCM
- Applying the CBSCM: Connecting Model to Practice
- Convergence of Ideas
- Conflict Competence Features
- Conflict Face Negotiation Theory
- Transformation
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