The Relationship Between Pre-Service Teachers’ Communication Styles and Their Conflict Resolution Skills

Abstract

The purpose of this study, which uses the quantitative research method, is to find out how and in what directions the communication styles of pre-service teachers studying at Cumhuriyet University influence their conflict resolution skills and whether or not there are significant differences between female and male students in terms of conflict resolution skills. To this end, Communication Style Scale and Conflict Resolution Scale were used. The study group consists of students attending Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Education Department of Psychological Counseling and Guidance and Department of Preschool Education. The measurement tools were administered to 107 female and 51 male students. The students having open, friendly, attentive, animated, and impression leaving communication styles were found to have higher conflict resolution skills, whereas those having contentious communication style were determined to have lower conflict resolution skills. Dominant, dramatic, and precise communication styles, on the other hand, were seen to have no significant relationships with conflict resolution skills.

Keywords: Communication styles, conflict resolution behavior, university students.