Article

Can Conflict Videos Improve People’s Conflict Management? An Experimental Study on Changes in Conflict-Related Attitudes and Behaviors

Authors

• Martina Grunenberg Martina Grunenberg ORCID profile. (opens in new tab) , martina.grunenberg@ku.de(compose email, opens in email app.), Social and Organizational Psychology,  Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (opens in new tab)  
• Svenja Christina Schütt, Social- and Organizational Psychology,  Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (opens in new tab)  
• Elisabeth Kals, Social- and Organizational Psychology,  Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (opens in new tab)  
• Jürgen Maes, Social and Conflict Psychology, Bundeswehr University Munich, None
• Mathias Jaudas, Social and Conflict Psychology, Bundeswehr University Munich, None

Abstract

This article analyzes the effectiveness of video intervention in the management of interpersonal conflicts. In a randomized experimental study, we examined conflict-related beliefs, feelings, and behaviors. Longitudinal data were collected from an intervention group (N = 1567) and a control group (N = 636) over 15 weeks with five surveys conducted in Germany. Mixed models with repeated measures (MMRMs) revealed significant effects on conflict-related beliefs and behaviors in the intervention group. The results indicated that productive beliefs about conflict exhibited an earlier increase and a slightly larger effect size compared to productive behaviors. Additionally, negatively experienced feelings tended to decrease in the intervention group, although this change was not statistically significant. In contrast, the control group did not demonstrate any significant changes. These findings suggest that conflict videos are a promising low-threshold tool for enhancing individual conflict management.

Keywords:

conflict psychology, attitude change, productive conflict management, video intervention, experimental study, MMRM

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