Thomas test: types of behavior in conflict

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

Conflicts between people are inevitable. It is impossible to find two people whose opinions are completely the same.

On the one hand, this is bad, but on the other hand, the presence of several points of view on the situation allows you to evaluate it from different angles and find the most optimal solution to the problem or task that has arisen. Paradoxically, but the right conflict resolution can even strengthen and improve relationships between people.

Behavior in a conflict situation

To properly overcome a conflict situation, it is necessary to choose the optimal course of action, but this is not at all easy. As a rule, each person has only one specific line, which he prefers not to change.

The issue of human behavior in conflict situations was closely studied by the American psychologist Kenneth Thomas. He evaluated the actions of people according to two criteria:

• How much a person seeks to defend their own interests in a dispute (assertiveness).
• How likely a person is to consider the interests of others (cooperation).

As a result of long research, the psychologist managed to identify five standard types of human behavior in a conflict situation. Subsequently co-authored with RalphKilman, he developed a special Thomas-Kilman test to determine which of these behaviors is most characteristic of a particular person.

Description of the technique

In many sources, this questionnaire is often called briefly - the Thomas test. It will only take a few lines to describe it.

Each of the five ways of responding to conflict is described using 12 judgments, and these, in turn, are randomly grouped into 30 pairs. The subject will have to choose from each pair of statements one that seems to him the most true.

The text of the questionnaire itself is widely known and it will not be difficult to find it. Despite its simplicity, the Thomas test, the results of which can be completely unexpected, can bring tangible benefits and greatly facilitate the understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the individual.

Interpretation of results

The key to the test is a special table with which you can determine what type of behavior in a conflict the subject is most inclined to. Knowing this type, you can easily predict how the conflict will develop and what needs to be done to resolve it as soon as possible.

Thomas' Method assumes that each person tends to act in a conflict situation according to one of five scenarios. For special clarity, they can be compared with the behavior of an animal:

• Shark - competition, competition.
• Teddy bear - adaptation, desire to resolve the conflict.
• Turtle - conflict avoidance, hisavoidance.
• Fox is a compromise.
• Owl - cooperation.

Each of these scenarios has its positive and negative sides, and all of them are not universal, that is, they cannot constructively influence all conflict situations without exception.

Competition

A “shark” person tends to follow his own interests in everything, absolutely not interested in the opinions of others. He does not recognize compromises and believes that the victory of one always means the complete defeat of the other. In an effort to achieve his goal, such a person, without hesitation, will go over their heads. In his arsenal there may even be not quite legal and ethical actions, he can easily decide on deception, forgery or provocation. "Shark" always strives to have all the completeness of information about the enemy, but will never care about his good name or spiritual comfort.

This line of conduct can only be justified in a tiny number of cases. Most often this happens in acute crisis situations, when a certain person vested with certain powers must very quickly restore order and present some result. In all other cases, the behavior of the "shark" is unacceptable and can quickly destroy any long-term relationship - both work and personal.

Such dangerous tendencies can be easily identified by the Thomas test. The conflict behavior of a person is a serious problem for others, which means that special care will need to be taken when communicating with him.

Adaptation

The complete opposite of the "shark" is the "teddy bear". A person prone to this type of behavior can easily sacrifice his interests to please an opponent. As a rule, this is the lot of people with low self-esteem, who sincerely believe that their opinion is not worth considering.

This line of behavior can be successful if the subject of the dispute is not of great importance. Yielding to an opponent, you can maintain friendly relations with him, and the consequences of the conflict will be minimal. However, refusal to defend one's interests in any important dispute can negatively affect the events of a person's life. He risks losing the respect of others and being branded as spineless. Such people are often manipulated.

If the Thomas test reveals a tendency to adapt, a person needs to urgently start working on his self-esteem, with its increase, behavior will also change.

Avoidance

People-“turtles” hate conflicts, and therefore they try in every possible way to postpone or avoid a showdown. This position is characterized not only by the inability to defend one's own interests, but also by an extreme disregard for the interests of others. Such a person prefers to hide from the problem, rather than trying to solve it. The reason for this is self-doubt and a victim complex.

This behavior can be justified if the cause of the conflict is insignificant for both parties. In any serious situations, it can lead to a further increase in misunderstanding.between people and an even greater accumulation of mutual claims. Such a protracted confrontation, painful for both sides, sooner or later ends with an explosion of emotions and a stormy showdown. The sad consequences of this may be irreversible.

If Thomas's test showed such a result, a person should be bolder and not be afraid of problems. It is important to understand that only a solved problem disappears, while an unresolved one deprives a person of strength and makes his life absolutely unbearable. You can't hide from it.

Compromise

Cunning "foxes" are always trying to negotiate with the enemy. However, partial satisfaction of the demands of both sides, as a rule, does not lead to the end of the conflict and serves only as a respite.

The weak point of the compromise position is its complete dependence on the opponent's position, and if he is not ready to give up even the smallest part of his interests, the "fox" will invariably be the loser. It may also happen that the opposing side overestimates its demands unnecessarily, and then “generously” sacrifices them to the level it actually needs. That is why, before making a compromise, it is necessary to have all possible information about the subject of the dispute, so as not to be left with nothing.

People who have tested this way should be more determined and direct in defending their own interests.

Cooperation

The best way to resolve a dispute is to find a solution thatwould fully satisfy the claims of both parties. This requires undoubted diplomatic skills and wisdom. That is why people prone to such a line of behavior were conventionally called "owls".

People-"owls" prefer not to get carried away by the outer side of the conflict, but try to understand its underlying cause. In addition, they know how to be honest with their opponent and adapt perfectly to his manner of communication. Thanks to this tactic, they easily turn the enemy into a partner, and the conflict is quickly resolved through constructive negotiations.

If Thomas's test showed this result, the person can be safely congratulated. There should not be any major quarrels and conflicts in his life, and his own insight will help him achieve a lot.

Meaning of testing

The Thomas-Kilman test is often used to test employees when hiring. Based on its results, it is easy to judge the behavior in general. The Thomas method allows you to assess what position a person will choose in relations with colleagues and superiors. Also, this information will give an idea of how the appearance of a newcomer will affect the overall atmosphere in the team.

To pass the Thomas test will be useful for everyone. It will help you soberly assess your own behavior and understand what exactly prevents you from successfully resolving disputes and remaining on good terms with others.