How We Think About People: Beliefs About Human Nature in the Explanation of Conflict Behavior

For decades, researchers have dealt with how human nature influences behavior in conflicts. Today, it is recognized that subjective beliefs about human nature play a significant role in conflict situations. This was also acknowledged in studies using the theory of planned behavior to explain conflict behavior as the potential for integrating beliefs about human nature was highlighted there, too. In this longitudinal study, with a representative sample of the German population ( N = 906), we applied the theory of planned behavior to social conflict contexts to explain cooperative conflict behavior. Specifically, we examined how beliefs that people are generally self‐serving or helpful interact with attitudes and perceived behavioral control impacting conflict‐related intentions and behavior. A path model supported the hypothesis that viewing humans as self‐serving strengthens the effect of positive attitudes toward conflict on intentions to act cooperatively. This means that assumed self‐interest may facilitate cooperative behavior in conflict, as individuals may perceive cooperation as an opportunity for mutual gain. Moreover, the belief that people are helpful enhances the influence of perceived behavioral control on intentions to cooperate, as individuals may assume their cooperation will be reciprocated. In sum, we successfully applied and supported the theory of planned behavior to the context of social conflicts and further demonstrated that beliefs about human nature provide a meaningful addition to understanding conflict intentions and behavior. Given the innovative nature of these findings, further research on the role of such beliefs in conflict behavior is warranted.