How Formal Status, Liking, and Ability Status Structure Interaction: Three Theoretical Principles and a Test

We begin to develop a theory of how multiple social processes structure behavior in informal task groups. Our approach is to treat three bases of social structure--status characteristics, formal position, and sentiment--as state organizing processes, and develop theoretical principles about their combined effects. Literature review suggests three general principles: (1) under specified conditions, status, formal position, and sentiment all structure a group's power and prestige inequality; (2) congruence and incongruence (as defined) among structures will affect their strength as organizing principles; and (3) the number of organizing bases will affect efficiency of the structuring process. We state these principles as foundations for incorporation in formal theories. Finally, we analyze data from 70 three-person discussion groups as a first assessment of the principles' empirical adequacy, report conclusions, and suggest directions for further research.