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Abstract

This study attempted to (1) incorporate social status into Newcomb's theory of dyadic behavior, (2) replicate in the dyad the differences due to status found in larger groups, and (3) see if results due to actual differences in social status could be obtained when status differences were perceived rather than real. Social status and attitude similarity were varied in a 2 × 2 design with attraction, communication, attitude change, perceived attitudinal similarity, and system strain the dependent variables. Ss, matched on age, year in school, and grade-point average, were first led to believe a status difference existed and then discussed capital punishment for 20 min. Results showed that perceived status affects attraction and communication in the dyad in the same way actual status differences affect these variables in larger groups. Differences for attitude change were in the predicted direction but not significant. Little support was found for either Newcomb's theory or the attempted addition of status to the theory.

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Effects of Social Status and Attitude Similarity on Behavior in Dyads

Abstract

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References