Proactive Differentiation, Sequence Restraint, and the Asymmetry of Power: A Multidimensional Analysis

Abstract

A variety of factors affect the configurations of power relations and communication systems observed in human groups, only a few of which are relatively well understood. Previous research has made it clear, for instance, that the communication structure of a group may have important implications for the power structure (Bales, et al., 1951; Homans & Reiken, 1954; Leik, 1967; Gray, et al., 1968; Richardson, et al., 1969; von Broembsen, et al., 1969). Nevertheless, the kinds of effects which may be observed can be expected to vary with situational aspects confronting the group and the understanding of these factors may be crucial to the development of reasonably precise organizational theory. This paper examines a relationship involving (1) the differentiation of participation by group members in the communication process, (2) formal restraint upon the communication structure, and (3) the relative symmetry or asymmetry of interpersonal power relations measured on three separate dimensions. Previous research by Richardson, et al. (1969) indicates some features of these relationships which we shall attempt to extend here.