The Power-Emotion Relationship in Discourse

Abstract

This study examined the verbal production of spontaneous expressions of emotional states, and focused on differences in verbal behavior for subjects holding different hypotheses about the status of their interactional partner. Structured telephone interviews of 41 female students about their studies in psychology were conducted by a male stooge, who was represented either as a fellow first-year student or as a professor. Results revealed significant differences between conditions, particularly with respect to the amount, type, and placement of emotional expressions, as well as differences in the use of markers of social power. Less self-disclosing topics were more typical of the unequal status situation, whereas in the equal status condition there was more metacommunication, student talk, personal topics, and direct and indirect signals of affective states. These results indicate that students regard their emotional input as an important part of their interactions with equal-status partners.