How do people think about interdependence? A multidimensional model of subjective outcome interdependence

Fabiola H. Gerpott, Daniel Balliet*, Simon Columbus, Catherine Molho, Reinout E. de Vries

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

1401 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Interdependence is a fundamental characteristic of social interactions. Interdependence Theory states that 6 dimensions describe differences between social situations. Here we examine if these 6 dimensions describe how people think about their interdependence with others in a situation. We find that people (in situ and ex situ) can reliably differentiate situations according to 5, but not 6, dimensions of interdependence: (a) mutual dependence, (b) power, (c) conflict, (d) future interdependence, and (e) information certainty. This model offers a unique framework for understanding how people think about social situations compared to another recent model of situation construal (DIAMONDS). Furthermore, we examine factors that are theorized to shape perceptions of interdependence, such as situational cues (e.g., nonverbal behavior) and personality (e.g., HEXACO and Social Value Orientation). We also study the implications of subjective interdependence for emotions and cooperative behavior during social interactions. This model of subjective interdependence explains substantial variation in the emotions people experience in situations (i.e., happiness, sadness, anger, and disgust), and explains 24% of the variance in cooperation, above and beyond the DIAMONDS model. Throughout these studies, we develop and validate a multidimensional measure of subjective outcome interdependence that can be used in diverse situations and relationships-the Situational Interdependence Scale (SIS). We discuss how this model of interdependence can be used to better understand how people think about social situations encountered in close relationships, organizations, and society.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)716-742
Number of pages27
JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology
Volume115
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2018

Funding

This research was funded by an ERC Starting Grant (#635356) Awarded to Daniel Balliet. A Dutch version of the HEXACO-PI-R has been released for commercial purposes. A percentage of the profit from sales is used by the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam to support research of Reinout E. de Vries. The data files for all studies reported in this research are available online: http://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/JHRPR.

FundersFunder number
Horizon 2020 Framework Programme635356
European Research Council

    Keywords

    • Conflict
    • Cooperation
    • Interdependence
    • Personality
    • Power

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'How do people think about interdependence? A multidimensional model of subjective outcome interdependence'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this