Chapter 6 Flashcards
2 main perspectives on power?
dynamic interdependence view of power
trait factor view of power
dynamic interdependence: where does power exist
in relationships
dynamic interdependence: where does it exist 2 contexts
coop vs comp context
3 effects in that factor view of power
source effects, message and receiver
3 types of power we study?
bases of power
unequal power
indirect power
review figure 6.1
…
review figure 6.1
…
6 things at the base of power?
reward coercion legitimate referent expert informational
two ways groups can expert indirect power
group mind
group norms
how is power distributed in effective groups
distributed among group members and vary according to needs of the group
Power has been conceived of as a quality of the …5 places it is thought. exist
person, the position, the place, the situation, or the relationship
Some individuals are viewed as having power because of their ability to dominate others through their …3
physical prowess, verbal prowess, or charisma.
define power
the capacity to affect the outcomes of oneself, others, and the environment
how can power be direct vs indirect
direct (within interpersonal interaction) or indirect (through group norms and values).
2 views that examine the direct use of power
(a) the dynamic interdependence perspective and (b) the trait-factor perspective
power is essential to all aspects of group functioning
t
every group member has power
t
Power is a quality of a relationship in which each party influences the other.
Relationship
Situational factors determine the level of power of each person
situation
Positions contain power, such as the presidency of a corporation or the chair of a committee.
position
Power is a trait that some individuals have, usually because they were born with it.
person
Certain churches, mosques, or ancient sites such as Stonehenge have power.
place
3 criteria for constructive power
- enhance group effectiveness
- used for other benifit and common good over self benefit
- is it was agreed on or imposed on people
what are the 3 conditions for constructive power use
The use of power is most constructive when it increases group effectiveness, benefits all members of the group, and is encouraged by all group members
Any two persons who interact constantly and are influenced by each other.
Dynamic-interdependence approach to power
Dynamic-interdependence approach to power
Any two persons who interact constantly and are influenced by each other. Dynamic means in a constant state of change; interdependence means that each member’s actions affect the outcomes of other members.
who has power in dynamic approach
who is influencing whom to what degree changes constantly as members strive to achieve the group’s goals.
dynamic: where does it exist
in relationships not individuals
Dy: what determined the power available to be used by group members
type and degree of interdependence e.g. + or -
dy: how is power used in a competitive context
power is used to gain advantage and to promote one’s own success at the expense of others ( influence of one person over another who originally is unwilling to perform the desired behaviors)
Dy: the competitive context view of power imply what 5 things about power
- a fixed pie resource
- a zero sum resource
- a commodity to be hoarded
- acting in a unidirectional way
- being inherently cooercive
T: Competitors tend to use their power to maximize the power differences between themselves and others.
iron law of oligarchy (people in power stay in power)
what becomes the focus of power holders
obtaining more and more power
what view of power dominates peoples understanding of power
The competitive view currently dominates most social scientists’ and powerholders’ understanding of power.
T: Focuses on the changing nature and patterns of influence within a group as members strive to achieve mutual goals rather than on who possesses power.
dynamic
Assumes that power is a complex phenomenon that has to be studied as a whole and cannot be meaningfully broken into components.:T
holistic
Stresses the immediate experience of group members and the ways they influence one another in the present rather than focusing on members’ history and genetics.
phenomenological
Applies and validates theoretical principles concerning the nature and use of power.
deductive
Stresses that power is distributed among all group members and that every group member has some influence over every other group member and over what takes place in the group.
distributed
Assumes power exists in all relationships. In small groups, mutual influence goes on continuously as group members act and react and adjust to one another’s actions.
inevitable
Assumes the use of power is essential to all aspects of group functioning—goal setting, communication, leadership, decision making, conflict resolution.
essential
negative consequences of competitive power use strategies?
Reliance on competitive, dominating strategies of power use, however, has negative consequences, such as the alienation and resistance of those subjected to the influence attempts, which increases the need for continuous scrutiny and control of the less powerful and limits the powerholder’s ability and willingness to use other types of power that are based on trust and power sharing.
T: the need to reestablish a person’s freedom whenever it is threatened.
reactance
The use of … power may escalate as it encounters resistance.
coercive
how is power used in a cooperative context
used to maximize joint benefits and enhance the group’s effectiveness
T openness to influence
inducability
… is created and developed out of the interaction among group members and their commitment to achieving their mutual goals.
Mutual power
Dy: the cooperative context view of power imply what 6 things about power
- it is expandable
- something to be shred
- acting in a bidirectional way
- non coercive
- asymmetrical
- based on expertise, competence and access to info
An alternative view of positive interdependence with small groups posits that the power of one group member over others depends on three factors: …
the benefits of working together to achieve mutual goals, the costs of doing so, and the availability of alternative groups in which the rewards may be higher and the costs lower
5 steps to mobilizing power to accomplish goals?
- determine your goals
- asses your relevant resources
- determine what other resources you need to achieve your goals and who has these resources
- negotiate an agreement to mutually support one another successful goal achievement
- carry out the activities necessary to achieve members and group goals
are goals always sought conciously
no sometimes uncon
3 criteria to plan how to accomplish your goals
you must be aware of them, accept them as valuable and worthwhile, and be willing to enlist the aid of other group members to accomplish them.
3 things you should know about resources
(a) what other resources you need to achieve your goals, (b) how you can help other group members achieve their goals, and (c) how the resources of all members can be combined to achieve the group’s goals.
3 steps to forming a cooalition
(a) identifying the group members who have the resources you need, (b) identifying how your resources could contribute to their goal accomplishment, and (c) negotiating a mutual support agreement in which each agrees to contribute to the other’s success.
3 things contracts should include
a) the resources you want from the other group members, (b) the resources other group members want from you, and (c) how members should coordinate their efforts to achieve the goals.
Trait factor: 4 characteristics of trait approach
static, atomistic, historical, inductive
Trait factor: Assumes that causation of present behavior is a function of genetic and experiential factors acting cumulatively over relatively long periods of time.
historical
Trait factor: Stresses accounting for empirically observed phenomena more than seeking empirical validation for general theoretical statements.
inductive
TF: Assumes that complex phenomena can be analyzed into component parts.
atomistic
TF: Assumes that complex phenomena can be analyzed into component parts.
atomistic
Two of the trait-factor approaches to power are the work on …2
power and persuasion and the work on social dominance.
3 places we look for characterisitics in coms for power?
source, message, and receiver effects
people are more influenced by people who… 3
trustworthy, distribute resources fairly, and treat people with respect
T: Focuses more on continuity than on change.
static
2 trait factor approches to power focus on what
power and persuasion
social dominance
“Who says what to whom with what effect?” what 3 things do we need to know to answer this
source, message and receiver effects
The powerholder is … if the less powerful individuals have low self-esteem, see their attitudes under modification as peripheral to them, have no forewarning of the influence attempt, role-play positions that agree with the communicator’s, have not been inoculated, are distracted while the message is presented, and are not very intelligent
more effective
how strong of an argument is the trait factor approach to influence
weak! need everyones impute
T: Social dominance theory is a trait-factor theory of power directly based on competition
social dominance theory
what is social dominance
the ability to control resources