Robert K. Shelly

Do Women Engage in Less Task Behavior Than Men

The overwhelming evidence from data collected in mixed-gender groups is that men originate more behaviors related to solving the task confronting the group than do women. However, efforts to detect whether men and women interact differently in same-gender task groups have produced less consistent findings. Some studies report men originating more task behavior than women, but others report no such difference in task behaviors. We examine data from an experiment in which men and women participated in a decision-making task in two types of same gender groups. In type one, no initial differentiating structure was introduced into the group prior to interaction on the task. In type two, initial differentiating structures were introduced prior to the interaction on the task. We examine the effects that these differentiating structures have on the interaction patterns in these groups, as well as the effects that the gender of the subject has on these interaction processes. Experimental results show that in type one groups, similar power and prestige orders emerged in all-female and all-male groups and that there were no significant gender differences in the rates of task behaviors in these groups. In type two groups, initial differentiating structures organized power and prestige orders, and overall there were no significant differences in the rates of task behavior between all-female and all-male type two groups. Theoretical arguments from expectations states theory are presented to account for these findings.

Social structure and the duration of social acts

Sociological social psychological theories emphasize that patterns in social interaction are linked inextricably to social structure. To date, however, most studies have focused on frequencies of various social acts that constitute interaction; little attention has been given to patterns related to time. In a brief overview we describe how existing social psychological knowledge regarding the link between structure and action can be extended to predict durations of social acts by group members. In particular, we theorize how three social structures-status structure, authority structure, and sentiment structure-may govern the durations of social acts and their relations to perceptions of social influence. The incorporation of act duration suggests how combinations of social structures either increase or decrease the efficiency with which social influence is exercised. We offer an initial test of arguments generated by our theoretical framework on data from experimental groups. Our results suggest that the effects of these social structures on duration patterns are generally consistent with our claims, but subtle. We discuss the implications of these findings and directions for further research on time in social interaction.

Speech Duration and Dependencies in Initially Structured and Unstructured Task Groups

We examine whether speech durations and speech content vary by social structure in groups and the content of preceding speeches. When actors are structural equals in groups, an observable interaction order emerges from interaction processes. When we experimentally impose authority, skill, or sentiment structures, structural advantage is related to longer speech durations. When structures are combined such that an actor is advantaged in more than one social structure, then the actor engages in shorter speech durations, although dominance (as measured by perceived contributions to the group) remains high for the actor. In addition, the likelihood that an actor contributes a solution to a group problem or invites other contributions is highly dependent on whether the preceding speech included positive feedback. The expected interdependence between contributions and invitations to contribute was not evident in our data. Thus our research provides new insight on the sequential dependencies between speech acts in groups.

Assembling Processes in a Periodic Gathering: Halloween in Athens, Ohio

Abstract This paper examines assembling processes involved in attendance at an annually recurring Halloween street celebration in Athens, Ohio. The celebration draws primarily college students from around the state of Ohio. Based on survey data from students at six large public universities in the state, we examine various factors associated with assembling processes to determine their influence on the likelihood of assembling at this event. Specifically, we assess the importance of (1) message exposure, (2) supporting social networks, (3) availability/competing events, (4) prior attendance, (5) distance, and (6) the medium(s) of assembly instruction. We also examine the importance of age, gender, and class rank as predictors of attendance. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of our findings for developing a more detailed theoretical model of assembling processes.

Training Interviewers and Experimenters

Abstract This chapter describes training of experimenters and interviewers for roles in social science experiments. Topics covered include recruiting assistants, developing scripts and roles for the experimenters, and fostering good habits for the collection and analysis of experimental data. Discussion of how to encourage assistants to develop work habits that contribute to the investigator’s experimental program concludes the chapter. Experiments are treated as theatrical productions in the discussion.

North Central Sociological Association Presidential Address : Micro Lessons for the Macro World

Abstract Microsociological studies employ a variety of techniques to examine relationships between social actors. Some of these studies focus on real-world situations and strive for high levels of face validity. Others focus on abstract social situations and strive for theoretical validity. This paper examines three areas of research that employ the latter approach to identify theoretical principles that produce valuable insights about real-world issues. Illustrations of the principles are presented as examples of the value of abstract, theoretical, experimental work in understanding events in the “real” world.

Cohesion, Solidarity, and Interaction

Abstract This paper describes a laboratory study of social integration. Assumptions regarding the social structures of groups are identified which lead to a distinction regarding the different bases for integration. These bases for social structure are hypothesized to affect social interaction in groups. Experimental evidence reported here supports the prediction that actors respond to differences in solidarity in group decision making structures by altering their behavior in certain ways. Others in the group perceive these actors differently depending upon whether or not the perceivers were included in group decision making structures, as well.

Chaos in Social Theory: Explaining Complex Events with Simple Ideas

Abstract Sociological theorists have expressed dissatisfaction with traditional models of explanation in recent years. Critics have attacked the dichotomy between macro and micro explanations, the use of linear statistical models, and the separation of structure from process. Sociological theory has not developed alternatives to traditional approaches that are widely accepted. We examine one solution to these problems and show how it applies to issues in studies of social organization and social process. We review major approaches to explaining social phenomena. In this review we identify key links between traditions and suggest how these ties affect development of theories. We restrict our review to models of social structure and behavior embedded in these structures. We adapt ideas from chaos theory to show how to explain social phenomena with simple ideas about how current behavior depends on history. Physicists and biologists have adopted chaos theory to explain how determinant patterns of events sudd...