Conflicts and Facework in Online Discussions

The purpose of this study is to explore the relation between conflict and the outcomes of online discussions, the moderating effect of facework behaviors on the relation between conflict and online discussion outcomes, the effect of gender in this relation, and in the moderating effect of facework behaviors. During a two-week period, participants (149) in groups of three to four members used an online discussion board to discuss topics commonly controversial. The results indicate that conflict influenced the outcomes of online discussions; facework behaviors moderated the relation between conflict and outcomes; and gender influenced the choice of facework behaviors each member adopted during discussions