Is fear of conflict the main reason behind those who choose to remain silent?

In a comprehensive study conducted in the United States, it was determined that people tend to withdraw, especially in environments where there is a clear distinction between winners and losers. Experts call this tendency "avoidance of zero-sum situations." According to the research, many people prefer to stay away from competition even in a competitive environment that could be to their own benefit.

The study used different scenarios ranging from salary negotiations to job applications, and from performance evaluations to games with cash prizes. The striking common result across a total of 13 experiments was that most people avoid direct competition even when the probability of gaining an advantage is high.

In an experiment with real cash prizes, participants were offered a risky but high-reward lottery and a less contentious option. Even as the competitive option became 40% more advantageous over time, 89% of the participants did not choose the option involving contention.

In another experiment conducted with MBA students, it was found that those applying for jobs in environments where employees were compared against each other requested 14% higher salaries on average. The underlying reason for this behavior is the anxiety felt about potential workplace conflicts rather than performance pressure.

THE BASIS OF FEAR OF CONFLICT MAY DATE BACK TO CHILDHOOD

The researchers emphasized that the tendency to remain silent is not only linked to character, but that negative experiences during childhood can lead to this behavior becoming permanent. It was noted that those who grew up in family or school environments where expressing opinions or debating created negative consequences could maintain this habit.

Another interesting finding was that when participants were told that conflict is natural and acceptable, they approached competitive situations they had previously avoided with more willingness. According to the experts, this reinforces the idea that for many people, the primary concern is not competing, but the social pressure of a conflict environment.

News Source: 12punto