Conflict-Handling Test

The IDRlabs Conflict-Handling Test (IDR-CH) was developed by IDRlabs. The IDR-CH is based on the work of K.W. Thomas. The IDR-CH is not associated with any specific researchers in the field of social psychology, personality psychology, or any affiliated research institutions.

The test provides the following feedback:

Competing: An assertive desire to satisfy one’s interests, regardless of the impact it might have on the other person. When competing, we place the importance of the outcome above the relationship with the other person and show a willingness to pursue our own concerns, even at another person’s expense. This style is often not very effective in the long run, as it is not effective in building relationships, but works well when you need a quick resolution to important issues.

Collaborating: An assertive yet cooperative style where the parties to a conflict each desire to fully satisfy the concerns of all of those involved. This style works well when long-term relationships are important, as those involved collaborate to get what they want, and negative feelings are usually minimized.

Avoiding: An unassertive and uncooperative style with a desire to withdraw from or suppress the conflict. This style is best used when there is no great urgency to the outcome, and it is better to postpone dealing with the situation or when emotions are running high and time is needed to cool off.

Accommodating: The accommodating style is the opposite of the competing style, with the willingness of one person in the conflict to place the other person’s interests above their own. While this style may seem generous and selfless, it can often take advantage of the weaker party and cause resentment to build in the relationship. This style is best used when one cares more about furthering the relationship than achieving the outcome.

Compromising: A style where each person involved in the conflict is willing to give up something in an attempt to come to a mutually acceptable solution. This style is best used when the outcome of a conflict is not as important as the time you are losing when engaged in the confrontation, and it is best to just make a decision and move on to more important things.

The IDRlabs Conflict-Handling Test was informed by the What is My Proffered Conflict-Handling Style Test as published in M. Dunnette (ed), Handbook of Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Chicago: Rand McNally, 1976), pp. 889-935.

The work of K.W Thomas has informed the test items in the form of the widely known measure of conflict management, which is especially for the use of qualified mental health professionals. The present test is intended for educational purposes only. IDRlabs and the present IDRlabs Conflict-Handling Test are independent of the above researchers, organizations, or their affiliated institutions.

The Conflict-Handling Test is based on a famous and well-regarded measure for the assessment of conflict management. However, free online tests and quizzes such as this one are solely first takes and cannot provide accurate assessments of your personality. Hence, the test is intended to be used for educational purposes only. A definitive personality assessment can be made only by a qualified mental health professional.

As the publishers of this free online conflict-handling test, which allows you to screen yourself for the most identified style, we have striven to make the test as reliable and valid as possible by subjecting it to statistical controls and validation. However, free online quizzes such as the present Conflict-Handling Test do not provide professional assessments or recommendations of any kind; the test is provided entirely “as-is.” For more information about any of our online tests and quizzes, please consult our Terms of Service.