AFFILIATION AND RESISTANCE IN CONFLICT STORIES: A NARRATIVE STUDY OF CHINESE AND SPANISH PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

When individuals from diverse cultures engage in conflicts, they frequently construct narratives in their minds that are both well-organized and laden with accusations and judgments. In these accounts, people often see themselves as victims, casting the other party in the role of an antagonist and associating them with negative and stereotypical views (Winslade & Monk, 2000). Even with their inherent biases, these narratives provide insight into the participants' expectations and attitudes toward conflict resolution and are often deemed effective strategies for reducing tensions and settling disputes (Mayer, 2021; Stewart & Maxwell, 2010). Acknowledging the significance of narratives in conflict management, this study collected oral accounts from Chinese and Spanish participants presented with a set of pre-defined hypothetical scenarios. Through analysing these narrative responses, the study delves into how both Chinese and Spanish individuals perceive, interpret, and communicate conflicts within and outside their group, with a special emphasis on manifestations of group solidarity and opposition. The observed dynamics between group allegiance and resistance, tied to cultural elements such as face concerns, values, conflict norms, and personal attributes (Ting-Toomey & Oetzel, 2001), hold promise for enhancing future interactions between the Chinese and Spanish communities.