Interpersonal Conflict in Collaborative Writing: What We Can Learn from Gender Studies

Gender-studies scholars describe the ways relationships within the family in fluence the gender identity of males and females, while composition special ists study the social nature of writing. In the areas of self-disclosure, control, trust, perceptions ofgroup and ofconflict, congruence, and reward, these gen der roles affect the abilities of men and women to collaborate successfully and determine their responses to interpersonal conflict. Through classroom activi ties and journal keeping, students can learn the limits ofgender roles and have access to a full range of collaborative strategies.