Manipulative strategies in conflict interactions: The privilege of low powered submissive romantic partners?
Abstract
Scientific evidence of manipulative strategies is well established in research. There are, however, few studies focusing on the relationship between manipulative tactics and power.
We formulated two contrasting evolutionary hypotheses; one predicting that low-power partners would conceal their goals by using indirect manipulation because they would face a high risk of acquiescence expressing their goals explicitly. According to the second, low-power individuals would use more coercive strategies, which compensate for their lower power by being more effective.
We tested 55 Czech romantic couples (aged 20-37 years, mean of relationship duration 3 years). To determine behavioral strategies, we qualitatively analyzed (coded and categorized) video-recorded couple's verbal and nonverbal behavior in two laboratory interactive tasks: standardized Picture Sorting task and the reenactment of couple's typical relationship conflict - the Relationship Drama.
We statistically compared data about strategy use from behavioral analyses with the Pulerwitz's Sexual Relationship Power Scale (scales of Control and Decision-Making in relationship) and self-reported dominance distribution in relationship. Our results confirm a relative independence of situational dominance to power distribution in the couple, -as 45% of 'wining' participants scored lower in power and dominance than their partners.
In accord with our second hypothesis, we found open aggression to be more often used by lower power partners. Lower power individuals were, however, also found to use affiliation and problem solving to reach their goals.
In contrast to our predictions, higher powered partners used emotional and verbal manipulation more frequently than lower power partners. Ignoring strategies were used independently on the power level.
The increased use of manipulation by high-power romantic partners has not been previously reported.