A Dynamic Dyadic Systems Approach to Interpersonal Communication

This article articulates conceptual and methodological strategies for studying the dynamic structure of dyadic interaction revealed by the turn-to-turn exchange of messages between partners. Using dyadic time series data that capture partners’ back-and-forth contributions to conversations, dynamic dyadic systems analysis illuminates how individuals act and react to each other as they jointly construct conversations. Five layers of inquiry are offered, each of which yields theoretically relevant information: (a) identifying the individual moves and dyadic spaces that set the stage for dyadic interaction; (b) summarizing conversational units and sequences; (c) examining between-dyad differences in overall conversational structure; (d) describing the temporal evolution of conversational units and sequences; and (e) mapping within-dyad dynamics of conversations and between-dyad differences in those dynamics. Each layer of analysis is illustrated using examples from research on supportive conversations, and the application of dynamic dyadic systems analysis to a range of interpersonal communication phenomena is discussed.

Managing Quality for Job Performance: Is Paternalistic Leadership Behavior an Alternative to Influence Trust?

Successful leaders play a complex role. Leaders may manipulate followers to accomplish goals since they have authority and power to influence. Interestingly, Paternalistic leadership has qualities of attributes not only on the reactions of dyadic systems and followers but also subordinates’ attitudes and behavior. Paternalistic leadership flows from a particular cultural context. A family environment is created by paternalistic leaders in the management system. They display 'goodwill' and act as a leader in family approaches towards staff. Currently, there is no specifically conducted gender-based research at the university level specifically to analyze the perceptions of paternalistic leadership on job performance and trust among the staff of the university. Therefore, this study focused primarily on the perceptions of paternalistic leadership behavior among staff members at the university level. A total of 254 respondents from UiTM Perlis staffs (male, n = 125; female n = 129) from four departments [Student Affairs, academic affairs, administration, and academic staff (lecturers)] completed a questionnaire pack assessing the study variables. Results revealed that (i) there are significant correlations in the dimension of paternalistic leadership, job performance, and trust perceived by staff at UiTM Perlis Branch, (ii) there are no significant differences in the dimension of paternalistic leadership, job performance, and trust between gender by staff at UiTM Perlis Branch. In conclusion, a leader who can create a better work environment can enhance staff competencies and influence trust in them.

System justification among the disadvantaged: A triadic social stratification perspective

For the past 25 years, the field of social and political psychology has embraced the idea that humans possess a special system justification motivation which causes even members of disadvantaged groups to support societal systems that ostensibly operate against their personal and group interests. Recently, this system justification motive explanation has been challenged, based on mounting empirical evidence to the contrary. However, the potential demise of this dominant perspective invites explanations for the system justification phenomenon, especially amongst the disadvantaged. Existing interest-based accounts, such as the social identity model of system attitudes have tried to fill this gap, but have generally focused on system rationalisation processes within dyadic systems that pitch disadvantaged groups against their privileged counterparts alone. The current contribution extends the existing interest-based accounts by explaining system justification effects in multi-stratified social systems. Based on the triadic social stratification theory, we propose that system justification among the disadvantaged may result from favourable inter-status comparisons within a multi-stratified social system.

Models for Dyadic Data. Chapter in Cambridge Handbook of Research Methods in Clinical Psychology

Chapter (accepted and in press) prepared for the forthcoming Cambridge Handbook of Research Methods in Clinical Psychology. Edited by A. Wright & M. N. Hallquist. We describe models for analyzing data from dyadic systems such as therapist-client, mother-children, or romantic partners, among others. We define key characteristics of dyadic systems and then identify clinical research questions related to dyadic systems and processes that unfold over time. We use these questions to select a set of statistical models and data analytic techniques for answering clinical research questions related to dyadic research.

The Intolerable Other: The Difficulty of Becoming a Couple

This paper describes an antipathy to relating due to the difficulty of relating to an other who is different from ourselves and does not conform to our wishes. While this is an inherent tension in all couple relationships, it can become an entrenched pattern in couples who seek omnipotent perfection in themselves and others as an attempt to avoid the pain of loss and disappointment, especially where loss is felt to be equivalent to abandonment. Drawing on James Fisher's work on narcissism, I describe the lack of curiosity and rigid maintenance of illusions that characterise the narcissistic attitude and give an extended clinical example of a couple who were desperate to stay together despite frequently being unable to tolerate each other. The paper includes an Afterword written for the paper's republication which acknowledges the inspiration of James Fisher, and reconceptualises some of the theoretical assumptions in terms of the work of Beebe and colleagues on co-constructed dyadic systems (Beebe & Lachmann, 2002, 2003; Beebe & Stern, 1977).