Conflict in the Classroom: How Teachers’ Emotional Intelligence Influences Conflict Management

Abstract

Distinct studies showed a positive relationship between emotional intelligence and conflict management. However, there is a lack of research on how teachers' emotional intelligence influences conflict management in the classroom. Since much more needs to be learned about how teachers' emotional skills related to classroom practice, this research has emerged, and the purpose went to examine how teachers' emotional intelligence influences classroom conflict management. Moreover, the relationship between gender, teaching experience, and academic training with teachers' emotional intelligence was also analyzed. The sample comprised of 382 Portuguese teachers. The Emotional Skills and Competence Questionnaire for Teachers, the Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory II-Portuguese Version in School Context, and a personal and professional data inquiry were been used as instruments. Structural equation modeling showed that teachers who tend to have higher levels of emotional intelligence employ more integrating and compromising strategies for conflict management, therefore constructively managing conflict in the classroom. In light of these findings, emotional skill programs should be included in teachers' academic training to promote their emotional intelligence and give them tools to constructively manage classroom conflict.

Emotional Intelligence and Workplace Conflict Resolution: The Case of Secondary Education Teachers in Greece

“…The research results show that EI offers opportunities for conflict resolution. This conclusion is in line with the results of Valente & Lourenço (2020) who confirmed that EI teachers have greater commitment levels for conflict resolution.…”

School Conflicts: Causes and Management Strategies in Classroom Relationships

“…Among the variables that influence the choice of different conflict management strategies, the teachers' emotional intelligence stands out. Valente and Lourenço [24] conclude that teachers who tend to have higher levels of emotional intelligence use more integration and commitment strategies, for conflict management in the classroom, and fewer strategies of consent, avoidance, and domination. Too, the findings of Aliasgari and Farzadnia [29] indicate that teachers prefer the integrating strategy over the other conflict management strategy.…”

“…There are many and diverse classroom conflict situations that disturb the class dynamics. And in situations where the conflict remains latent, the result of the diversity of class interests, if the teacher does not create a good environment, acting positively about communication, the use of legitimate authority, and the conflict management, he will see conflicts increase exponentially within the classes [24]. Thus, regardless of the classroom conflicts type, if they are not managed, they accumulate, which makes them more cohesive and complicated, triggering negative feelings in those involved, and negatively affecting the educational quality [24].…”

“…Too, the findings of Aliasgari and Farzadnia [29] indicate that teachers prefer the integrating strategy over the other conflict management strategy. So, in the presence of classroom conflict, the teacher proposes alternatives, applies open lines of communication, makes concessions, accepts responsibility, maximizes similarities, and minimizes existing differences between self and student [24]. Therefore, the integrating strategy is connected with classroom problem-solving, the use of this strategy involves openness and exchanging information, being the ideal strategy in dealing with complex classroom problems [24].…”

“…So, in the presence of classroom conflict, the teacher proposes alternatives, applies open lines of communication, makes concessions, accepts responsibility, maximizes similarities, and minimizes existing differences between self and student [24]. Therefore, the integrating strategy is connected with classroom problem-solving, the use of this strategy involves openness and exchanging information, being the ideal strategy in dealing with complex classroom problems [24]. When applying a commitment strategy, the teacher's objective is an intermediate solution for conflict management, for this, he knows how to reduce differences with the student suggests an exchange of proposals with the student, and provides a quick solution to conflicts in the classroom [24].…”