An experimental test of a stochastic model of intrapersonal conflict in a two-person situation

Abstract

This paper describes a stochastic model for a type of intrapersonal conflict that arises in two-person interactions when an individual's perceived goal-approach response is incompatible with a compliant response to another person's influence attempt. The conflict model is an extension of a class of learning models for the response continuum. Results from a two-person laboratory experiment show that with one interactive reinforcement schedule (termed “convergent”) influence communication between close friends results in a lower frequency of correct outcomes for such pairs than does influence communication between strangers; the reverse occurs with a second interactive schedule (termed “divergent”). These and other findings are interpreted in terms of certain parameters of the conflict model that are assumed to be related to the existing social relationship. Also examined are the functions relating a subject's change in response from Trial n to n + 1 to (i) the distance to his goal on Trial n, and (ii) his partner's influence attempt on Trial n. With one exception, the observed functions are in accord with the model.