Abstract

Bernstein(1972) distinguished between person-oriented relations based on individuating psychological properties and position-oriented relations based on the socially ascribed position. This study analysed the effects of these two relation types on the conflict perception and conflict handling styles. Hypotheses are those who prefer person-oriented relations perceive conflict as relational problems, intellectual problems, and problems to be compromised, while those who prefer position-oriented relations perceive conflict as problems of task, emotional problems, and problems to be won or lost. As a result of analysis from company managers these hypotheses were supported. Person-oriented managers perceived conflict as intellectual problems and problems to be collaborated or compromised, but position-oriented managers perceived conflict as emotional problems and problems to be won or lost. Considering the results of this study, person orientation causes person perception to distinguish between individuality and position, while position orientation causes person perception to identify individuality with position.