The relationship between cognitive flexibility and communication conflict and empathy

In this study, which aims to investigate the relationship between university students' cognitive flexibility levels and communication conflicts and empathy, relational survey design from quantitative research method was used. In the study, which was carried out with the participation of 770 university students studying at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Faculty of Education, data were collected using 'Cognitive Flexibility Inventory', 'Conflict Tendency Scale', 'Empathic Tendency Scale' and 'Personal Information Form'. Pearson correlation analysis, t test, ANOVA and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyse the data. According to the results of the analyses, it was concluded that the cognitive flexibility levels of university students differed according to gender, but did not differ according to class level, department studied, parental education level, type of high school graduated from, and academic achievement score. In addition, a significant positive relationship was found between university students' cognitive flexibility and empathic tendency levels; a negative relationship between conflict tendency and cognitive flexibility level; and a negative relationship between empathic tendency and conflict tendency. Finally, as a result of the multiple linear regression analysis, it was concluded that the strongest predictor variable was the empathic disposition variable.