The Effect of Quantity and Content of Communications on the Nominations of Emergent Leaders.

摘要

This research note investigates the effect of the quantity and content of communications on the nominations of emergent leaders in ad hoc groups. Peer ratings on overall leadership were obtained from interacting group members involved in a management simulation. In, addition, each subject was asked to verbalize his thoughts (think aloud) as he or she ranked each group member on the sociometric 'Who shows the best overall leadership qualities'. These thought processes (protocols) were content analyzed and an information processing (IP) model for the sociometric was formulated. Mutual Influence (MI) and Social-Directive (S-D) behaviors composed the IP model. Group interactions were scored and members were ranked according to the number of MI and S-D behaviors in which they engaged. Subjects were also ranked according to the quantity of words spoken. These two sets of rankings were then statistically compared to the actual peer rankings on overall leadership qualities. Results indicate that the content of communications (verbal and non-verbal is more important in making leadership nominations than the quantity of verbal communications. (Author)