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Communication Conflicts of Status and Authority in Dyadic, Task-Based Interactions

Status Generalization in Airplane Cockpits

Northwestern University

Abby M. Lack

Northwestern University

Jeanne C. Lynch

San Jose State University

Status generalization theory predicts that high-status individuals will automatically assume high-authority roles controlling task-based interactions. However, temporary task demands may require low-status individuals to assume high-authority positions. If status generalizes, role conflicts may occur when high-status partners fail to yield control to low-status partners. lb test status generalization in legitimate role-reversal situations, airplane pilot crews who represented high- and low-status partners (i.e., captains and first officers)flew simulated missions during which transfers of authority (i.e.,pilotflying to pilot not flying) occurred. Results showed captains initiated more transfers and used more direct commands in initiations of transfers of authority than did first officers, even when captains were in low-authority roles. Only when using mitigated commands did first officers in high-authority positions initiate more transfers than did captains. Performative speech acts were shown to be effective, conventional devices for enacting transfers of authority.

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