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Understanding Your Score on the Dutch Test for Conflict Handling

This self-assessment estimates the extent to which you prefer to use each of the five conflict handling styles

identified in the conflict management literature: yielding, compromising, forcing, problem solving, and avoiding

Scores on each of the five subscale range from 4 to 20. A higher score indicates that you have a higher

preference for that style of conflict handling. The following graphs compare your results to the range of scores

in a sample of undergraduate psychology students in The Netherlands. The range of scores can vary from one

culture or occupational group to the next.

Low preference4 to 8

Moderate preference9 to 13

Strong preference14 to 20

4 20

Your score was 17.The range of possible scores is from 4 to 20.

Yielding

Yielding involves giving in completely to the other side's wishes, or at least cooperating with little or no

attention to your own interests. This style involves making unilateral concessions, unconditional promises, and

offering help with no expectation of reciprocal help.

Low preference4 to 10

Moderate preference11 to 16

Strong preference17 to 20

4 20

Your score was 18.The range of possible scores is from 4 to 20.

Compromising

Compromising involves looking for a position in which your losses are offset by equally valued gains. It involves

matching the other party's concessions, making conditional promises or threats, and actively searching for a

middle ground between the interests of the two parties.

Low preference4 to 8

Moderate preference9 to 14

Strong preference15 to 20

4 20

Your score was 16.The range of possible scores is from 4 to 20.

Forcing

Forcing tries to win the conflict at the other's expense. It includes "hard" influence tactics, particularly

assertiveness, to get one's own way.

Low preference4 to 10

Moderate preference11 to 16

Strong preference17 to 20

4 20

Your score was 20.The range of possible scores is from 4 to 20.

Problem Solving

Problem solving tries to find a mutually beneficial solution for both parties. Information sharing is an important

feature of this style because both parties need to identify common ground and potential solutions that satisfy

both (or all) of them.

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Low preference4 to 7

Moderate preference8 to 12

Strong preference13 to 20

4 20

Your score was 15.The range of possible scores is from 4 to 20.

Avoiding

Avoiding tries to smooth over or avoid conflict situations altogether. It represents a low concern for both self

and the other party. In other words, avoiders try to suppress thinking about the conflict.

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