Accommodating the Interactional Dynamics of Conflict Management

In this paper, we discuss the ways that communicationaccommodation theory (CAT) can be a useful frameworkfor understanding and diagnosing interactional issues ininterpersonal and intergroup conflict situations. We arguethat the theory’s construct of attuning strategies provides amultidimensional view of mutual adjustment, leading toinsights relevant to successful versus unsuccessful conflictmanagement. We then connect this framework to work onimprovisation and logics of exchange. Finally, we discusshow contextual variables suggested by CAT may impact thenature of communication in a conflict situation and, thus,the course that a conflict interaction may take.