The Influence of Regulatory Focus on Media Choice in Interpersonal Conflicts

People’s choices of (electronic) communication channels are central to the quality communication—and sometimes detrimental their actual goals. However, while factors influencing media choice abundant, potential means intentionally influence these scarce within computer-mediated research. We explore role regulatory focus as one possible factor understand and in interpersonal conflicts. Regulatory theory proposes two motivational systems, promotion (i.e., needs for nurturance growth) prevention safety security), that account differences preferred strategies goal-pursuit. In a vignette-based study, we manipulated situational (promotion or prevention) surveyed participants’ hypothetical conflict scenario. Our results show induction dominant (vs. focus) leads shift preference towards leaner establish higher subjective buffer between sender receiver (e.g., text-messaging over calling). elaborate on how findings contribute understanding conflicts point out ways behavior through design technologies. Limitations present study future research opportunities discussed.