A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ATTITUDES TOWARDS CONFLICTS

Abstract

Culture plays an important role in influencing the attitudes of people towards conflict resolution. People of different cultural background are likely to perceive and resolve conflict differently. With the relaxation of the guidelines on foreign intakes and increasing Sino-Singaporean economic cooperation, greater opportunities of interaction between the Chinese National and Singaporean Chinese have been created. Inevitably more conflicts are also likely to arise. Though they share the same Oriental culture , they are different in some ways. Singapore is very much under years of Western influence and modernisation. Therefore Singaporean Chinese are generally more inclined towards the lifestyles and practices of the western societies rather than the Orient. Both groups are thus likely to perceive and resolve conflicts differently. The study has shown that though their attitudes towards conflict resolution are different, they are not significant since Singaporean Chinese still share the same Chinese culture as the Chinese National. Due to the different cultural orientation of the Chinese National and the Singaporean Chinese, the latter are relatively more litigious than the former. Singaporean Chinese are more conscious of rights and entitlements as well as have lesser regard for relationship, therefore would tend to adopt an adversarial approach when resolving conflicts. The Chinese National, on the other hand, is more familiar with arbitration and mediation proceedings. When faced with property, business and personal conflicts, the former would adopt litigation while the latter would adopt mediation and arbitration. They however share a similar choice of methods for the resolution of domestic, community and work conflicts. This study will be able to provide guidance when dealing with the Chinese National in different aspects of life. It will also allow Singaporeans to gain a greater cultural understanding of the Chinese National.