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A qualitative analysis of power‐based entrainment and interactional synchrony in couples

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Abstract

Interpersonal synchrony is a communicative lubricant that is associated with harmonious communication among conversational participants and is believed to be evidence of like‐mindedness and interpersonal solidarity. In this secondary analysis of an existing data set of both power‐equal and power‐unequal couples working through a discussion task, the content and form of their conversations were qualitatively examined for evidence of synchrony and dissynchrony. It was found that power‐equal couples tended toward synchronous communication and their conversations were represented by strategies that appeared either collaborative or competitive but generally respectful and problem oriented. The power‐unequal couples used one‐sided marginalization or withdrawal strategies that were characterized largely by dissynchrony. The theoretical implications for these findings are discussed.

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... Increased feelings of closeness and similarity, liking, trust, cooperativeness, helping behaviour, and compliance were significantly related to interpersonal coordination. Measures of popularity, power or dominance, were not included in their meta-analysis, but Dunbar and Mejia (2012) showed that power also affects synchrony. Interactions of equal-power couples were more synchronous overall, whereas interactions of unequal-power couples were more asynchronous. ...
Article
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... Our research has demonstrated the importance of specific aspects of the collaborative exchange process. In future studies, with the type of rich interactional data that we obtained in this discussion board type of research paradigm, it will be feasible to do even more detailed analyses of features of group discussions, such as synchrony (Dunbar and Mejia, 2013) and the extent to which group members persist in certain types of exchanges or patterns of discussions, such as intense exchanges within subgroups, or the depth of focus on specific topics or ideas. ...
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We examined the impact of task-relevant expertise level in groups on the idea sharing and elaboration process and on idea development. Participants were assigned to low, heterogeneous, and high expertise groups and were asked to generate ideas for the development of a new sport. Following two asynchronous divergent ideation phases using an electronic discussion board for ideational exchanges, groups completed a synchronous convergent discussion phase in which they selected and refined their ideas for a new sport. The number of ideas and their novelty during the divergent phase did not influence the outcome of the convergent phase. However, consistent with our theoretical model final product novelty was influenced by the number and novelty of the replies in the divergent phase. Although group expertise level was associated with various performance outcomes in the divergent ideation phase, it did not impact the novelty of the final product. Low expertise groups demonstrated the most novelty in the divergent phase. Final product novelty was also associated with sports words used in discussions during the convergent phase.
... Power differences can also affect interaction patterns. Dunbar and Mejia (2012) studied interpersonal synchrony in the interactions between equaland unequal-power couples. The results showed that interactions of unequalpower couples were predominantly asynchronous, whereas those of equal-power couples were predominantly synchronous. ...
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Cooperative learning has been shown to result in better task performance , compared to individual and competitive learning, and can lead to positive social effects. However, potential working mechanisms at a micro level remain unexplored. One potential working mechanism might be the level of interper-sonal synchrony between cooperating individuals. It has been shown that increased levels of interpersonal synchrony are related to better cognitive performance (e.g., increased memory). Social factors also appear to be affected by the level of interpersonal synchrony, with more interpersonal synchrony leading to increased likeability. In the present study, interpersonal synchrony of postural sway and its relation to task performance and social factors (i.e., popularity, social acceptance, and likeability) was examined. To test this, 183 dyads performed a tangram task while each child stood on a Nintendo Wii Balance Board that recorded their postural sway. The results showed that lower levels of inter-personal synchrony were related to better task performance and those dyads who were on average more popular synchronized more. These results contradict previous findings. It is suggested that for task performance, a more loosely coupled system is better than a synchronized system. In terms of social competence , dyad popularity was associated with more interpersonal synchrony.
... 74 Dunbar and Mejia, and Dunbar and Johnson found other examples of convergence in their studies of couples in conflict and found that it was characteristic of unequal power dyads. 75 Convergence communication has been characterized by NCC as a construct with three dimensions: disequilibrium, interpersonal deference, and motivation. 76 Disequilibrium refers to the inequality of an individual's participation in and contribution to meaning in the interaction. ...
Article
Power equality or inequality is one of the most fundamental attributes of any interpersonal relationship. In this review of interpersonal approaches to power, a definition of interpersonal power is proposed and the multidimensional and complex nature of power is explored. Various theoretical models, all of which employ power as one of their key variables, are discussed, including social exchange theory, interdependence theory, normative resource theory, equity theory, dyadic power theory, necessary convergence communication theory, bilateral deterrence theory, the chilling effect, relational control approaches, and sex role theories.
... A final goal of our study was to examine the predictions of DPT beyond the laboratory. Prior DPT research has examined the association of power and communication in light of researcher-induced discussions in laboratory settings (e.g., Dunbar & Abra, 2010;Dunbar et al., 2008;Dunbar & Burgoon, 2005;Dunbar & Mejia, 2013). While this research has been instructive, the validity of DPT in more naturally occurring communicative contexts has received little attention to date (though see Dunbar & Johnson, 2015). ...
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This study explored the role of decision-making power in withholding communicating about relational complaints. A total of 350 participants (nested in 175 couples) completed surveys about the balance of decision-making power in their relationship, complaint avoidance, and complaint-related appraisals. Decision-making power had a curvilinear association with avoidance, such that individuals engaged in the least complaint avoidance when they were relatively equal to their partners in power. For complaint-related appraisals, problems were perceived as least severe, and outcome expectancies and communication efficacy assessments were most positive, when power was equal. Furthermore, severity appraisals and outcome expectancies mediated the curvilinear association of power with complaint avoidance. Results provided support for Dyadic Power Theory outside of laboratory contexts, and highlight cognitive mechanisms through which decision-making power may influence communication in close relationships.
... Power is an important variable that shapes many interactions and can be relevant in decision-making even when there is no overt conflict. Control attempts should not necessarily be seen as negative behaviors, however, because Dunbar and Mejia (2012) found that satisfied, power-equal couples often engage in banter and one-upmanship, which is both dominant and relationally positive because it is not perceived by partners to be controlling or threatening. By encouraging the examination of the reasons behind verbal and nonverbal control attempts and the uses of interpersonal power in close relationships, DPT can help the field of counseling psychology develop better practices for couples and families to resolve their conflicts peacefully and fruitfully. ...
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This study examines the openings of British general-practice medical consultations. The authors use conversation analysis to analyze how doctors' and patients' practices of gaze and body orientation organize interaction such that doctors routinely initiate the sequence wherein patients disclose their chief complaint. Gaze and body orientation communicate levels of engagement with and disengagement from courses of action. As doctors and patients accomplish regular tasks preparatory to dealing with patients'chief complaints, doctors use gaze and body orientation to communicate that they are preparing but are not yet ready to deal with those compkints. In response, patients wait for their doctors to solicit their chief complaint. These findings have implications for research on nonverbal communication, interactional asymmetry, and power.
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Gottman has proposed that there are 3 functional styles of conflict management in couple relationships, labeled Avoidant, Validating, and Volatile, and 1 dysfunctional style, labeled Hostile. Using a sample of 1,983 couples in a committed relationship, we test the association of perceived matches or mismatches on these conflict styles with relationship outcome variables. The results indicate that 32% of the participants perceive there is a mismatch with their conflict style and that of their partner. The Volatile-Avoidant mismatch was particularly problematic and was associated with more stonewalling, relationship problems, and lower levels of relationship satisfaction and stability than the Validating matched style and than other mismatched styles. The most problematic style was the Hostile style. Contrary to existing assumptions by Gottman, the 3 matched functional styles were not equivalent, as the Validating Style was associated with substantially better results on relationship outcome measures than the Volatile and Avoidant styles.
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