Conflict and Dominance in Television-Mediated Interactions

A simulation of a supervisor-worker conflict was performed with fourperson groups in either a face-to-face or a television-mediated communication setting. Face-to-face groups were more likely to reach solutions indicative of high intragroup conflict. Although mean values did not differ, there was more variability among face-to-face groups in discussion time and measures of supervisor dominance. These results were interpreted as suggesting that electronic mediation serves to weaken the forces of emergent leadership.