Expectation-Based and Automatic Behavior: A Comment on Lee and Ofshe, and Berger and Zelditch

Abstract

Task-oriented groups develop patterned interaction and organization in the form of dominance hierarchies. The question is, how is this uiequal distribution of participation and influence developed? Status characteristics and expectation states theory (Berger et al., 1966 and 1972; Berger et al., 1977; Berger et al., 1980) propose that cognitive activity (either above or below the level of conscious awareness) precedes such decisions. Relevant information about members' possible contributions to group goals is processed in a seemingly rational way so that dominance decisions can be made. Suppositions of differential abilities are often based on known status differences among members. Lee and Ofshe (1981) have questioned whether participants rely on status information. As an alternative, they propose a twoprocess theory in which the demeanor of group members is the key variable in determining the dominance hierarchy. This effect of demeanor on dominance decisions is assumed to occur rather automatically and below the level of awareness. No complex rational cognitive activity precedes such decisions. Rather, judgments about how the decisions were made are assumed to follow these decisions in apost-hoc manner and do not accurately identify demeanor as the key factor underlying the decisions.