Dr. Meina Liu’s paper, “Bridging Hearts and Minds: Compassion, Holistic Thinking, and Shared Mental Models in Cross-Cultural Dispute Resolutions,” has been selected to receive the John “Sam” Keltner Inspiration Top Paper Award from the Peace and Conflict Communication Division at the 111th Annual Convention of the National Communication Association (NCA).
Dr. Liu's study brought together scholars from the U.S., Mainland China, and Hong Kong to examine how compassion and holistic thinking shape negotiation tactics, shared mental models, and relational outcomes across cultures. The abstract can be read below, as the paper is not yet available to the general public:
"This study examines the role of analytical-holistic mindset in accounting for cultural differences in the pathway through which compassion influences dispute resolution tactics, shared mental models (SMMs), and relational outcomes. 316 participants from three cultures (120 mainland Chinese, 96 Hong Kong Chinese, and 100 Americans) formed same-sex negotiation dyads to resolve a dispute between roommates. Results from multi-group Structural Equation Modeling procedures showed that (a) holistic thinking enhanced compassion for Chinese, but not for Americans, and the effect was more pronounced for Hong Kong Chinese living in a hybrid culture, (b) compassion positively influenced interests-based tactics, negatively influenced rights- and power-based tactics, and fostered improved relational outcomes for all cultures, (c) SMMs mediated the influence of rights-based and interests-based tactics on relational outcomes for Americans, but not Chinese, and (d) interests-based tactics had a direct influence on relational outcomes for Chinese, but not Americans. The findings underscore compassion's transformative power in dispute resolution, the importance of cognitive alignment through SMMs, and the role of analytical-holistic mindsets in accounting for culture’s effect in negotiations."
When asked about the major takeaways of her research, Dr. Liu said , “While so much negotiation research has focused on anger, our findings demonstrate how compassion and holistic thinking can transform the ways in which people approach disputes, improve shared understanding, and repair relationships across cultural contexts. I hope this work can inspire scholars and practitioners to bring both heart and mind to the negotiation table.”
The department is glad to congratulate Dr. Liu on her accomplishment! The award honors the legacy of the communication scholar, mediator, and peacebuilder John W. "Sam" Keltner (1918-2005). As a founding force in the NCA's Peace and Conflict Communication Division, he gained recognition for his integrity, innovation, and pioneering work in interpersonal and small-group communication.