High Context Culture (Collectivistic Culture) – Asian and Spanish
The root of conflict avoidance within romantic relationships manifests from cultural influences that shape each partner’s conflict management style. Depending on cultural influences of the individual, his or her disposition of conflict management will differ. Cultural influence can be classified into two groups, low-context individualistic culture and high-context collectivistic culture. In individualistic cultures, the goals, needs, and rights of the individual take precedence over the goals, responsibilities and obligations of the group (137). While members of the collectivistic culture value the goals, responsibilities and obligations of the group over the goals, needs, and rights of the individual (137). Within each culture, lies a certain pattern of responses which aim to manage conflict. Through careful analysis of individualistic and collectivistic cultures, inferences can be made to support the notion that there are systemic correlations between conflict avoidance within romantic relationships and cultural influences.
Individualistic cultures consist of primarily Western countries such as the United States. Studies have shown that members of individualistic cultures tend to favour a more integrating conflict style. “The Integrating conflict style is characterized by a willingness to openly exchange information in a direct way, constructively address differences, and to make a true effort to find a mutually acceptable solution (136)”. Within romantic relationships, partners tend to integrate and compromise which is a collaborative feat. Since individualistic cultures favour integration, methods of avoidance are atypical of people within the cultural group. Members of the individualistic culture tend to be more overt and direct towards their romantic counterparts (297). Since individualistic cultures tend to use a direct confrontational conflict style, they tend to manage conflict poorly when avoidance is the main issue of the relationship. Members of this cohort, tend to address conflict directly which may cause a partner that is more collectivistic to shy away from the issue.
Avoidance is considered a non-confrontational conflict style. “The avoiding conflict style is generally used by people who neither concern for their interests nor for the other party’s interests.” From the definition of an avoiding conflict style, it is evident that this conflict management style can be detrimental to the health of a romantic relationship. Members of the individualistic culture generally shy away from avoidance. This is beneficial to a romantic relationship because it can be inferred that there is a direct correlation between avoidance and longevity of a relationship. Avoidance-conflict management styles cause parties to prolong their problems rather than facing them head on. Since members of individualistic cultures are more direct, affectionate and upfront, they tend to be less susceptible of a long-term conflict. If a person from an individualistic culture starts to show signs of avoidance, most likely the conflict will be able to be resolved through more communication.
People from Eastern and Latino countries are often associated with possessing collectivistic cultures (138). Collectivists generally define themselves in terms of their relationships, they will give greater consideration to in-group members like family or coworkers, than individualists. Since collectivists have a greater concern for the group, it can be inferred that avoidance in conflict management would be rampant. Avoiding behaviour is common within collectivistic cultures because it is noted that avoiding conflict and maintaining harmony are more marked by collectivistic people’s social relations as compared to individualistic people’s social relations (korea 157). Studies have shown that in countries such as China and Japan, people tend to use more avoiding and less integrating than members of individualist cultures (138). This avoidance conflict method is a double-edged sword in a relationship. Avoidance may save the relationship in the short-term however, in the long-term, conflict can bubble up and cause an explosion of emotion which will lead to desolation in the relationship.
A large influence of collectivistic culture is third-party intervention. Since collectivistic cultures value the interests of the group so highly, third-party intervention, such as parents or friends, is extremely influential especially in romantic relationships. In collectivistic romantic relationships, a “couple-identity” is formed. Couple-identity is formed when a romantic couple is well-established and committed. The couple-identity can be weakened by third-party intervention especially if significant others do not think of the couple as a viable pair (157). The importance of third-party intervention within collectivistic cultures demonstrates that avoidance behaviours can stem from external influences. Since collectivists care about their family and friends so much, this may affect the romantic relationship by conforming to the needs and desires of the group. For example, if the family members of the collectivistic female does not like the male partner, this may cause the female to think that there is something wrong with her boyfriend. Although third-party intervention is a major influence in collectivistic cultures, when the two cultural groups meet to form an inter-racial romantic relationship, third-party intervention
In cases of inter-racial romantic relationships, avoidance in conflict is more apparent. When two cultures meet in the middle and form a relationship, a strong unity can be formed. The direct nature of a member of the individualist culture may find the shy and accommodating nature of a member of the collectivistic culture, endearing. It can be concluded that the opposites of each culture can balance out the relationship, however, it becomes a conflict when the collectivistic partner becomes too complacent. An issue of over complacency arises when there is a dominating partner in a relationship. Members of the collectivistic culture are known to be extremely accommodating, this feature will undoubtedly attract the direct nature of individualists. However, when a strong couple-identity is formed between the partners, a series of conflicts within avoidance arise. Members of the collectivistic culture will do everything in their power to satisfy the needs of their partner. If conflict arises between the two partners, the collectivistic partner will be the one to accommodate the needs of the individualist. This causes a long-term conflict which may lead to gunny sacking when and if the relationship goes sour. The built up anger within the collectivist may be enough to cause the relationship to be tarnished which will lead to an evidential breakup.