Assessing the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Survey

Abstract

The instrument that is most widely used in both research and training is the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Management-of-Differences (MODE) scale. This article highlights the MODE's uniqueness in assessing conflict intent rather than styles and of using pairs of forced-choice items to operationalize the five modes. The author calls for research aimed at improving the internal reliabilities of the items, for the use of statistics adapted to forced-choice item reponses, for factor analysis of the scale, and for tests of the ability of the instrument to predict communicative strategies in conflict situations.