Visible, Symbolic, and Concealed Leaders in a Kentucky County: A Replication and Comparison With Other Communities

The main leaders of a large Ru county were identified by first asking a 50% random sample of heads of households in diff Ru neighborhoods of the county & subsequently all persons nominated twice or more by the most often mentioned nominees the question: "Who would you say are the main leaders in this county?" The 26 persons named 2 or more times in this cumulative process constituted the county leaders. The set of people who were nominated frequently were found to be more efficient in choosing top leaders than those who received fewer nominations. Other evidence of group identity was also observed among the set named most frequently. Since 14 of these 26 leaders were named twice or more by both "top" leaders & by middle-level leaders, they were classified according to the visible, symbolic, & concealed leader typology developed originally by Charles Bonjean. 8 of the 14 were "visible" leaders--persons perceived almost equally frequently as influential by both top & middle-level leaders. 3 were "concealed"--persons perceived as influential more often by top leaders than by the middle-level leaders; & 3 were "symbolic"--persons perceived as influential more often by middle-level than by top leaders. Comparing this leadership situation in Kentucky County with that in each of 3 communities previously studied (Burlington, NC by Charles Bonjean [see SA A6698], "Indiana City," by Delbert C. Miller & J. L. Dirksen [see SA 1218/B9621], & "Cornucopia," Ill by Robert M. French & Michael Aiken [see SA 2317/D7470]), it was found that the Kentucky County leadership pattern was distinctly diff. Leaders in Ky were more visible & had stronger anchorage to public offices. While, in contrast to the previous studies, very little variation was observable among the leader types in their locations within the community soc structure & esp was there little diff between "concealed" & "symbolic" types which had previously constituted polar extremes, the typology was nevertheless found useful. It served to diff'iate those factional memberships among leaders which were recognized as crucial in the county's decision-making process. AA.