Types of Power and Status

The article discusses the major types of power and status and certain variable characteristics relevant for their investigation. A person is said to have power if he influences the bahavior of others in accordance with his own intentions. Three major forms of power are distinguished in terms of the type influence brought to bear on the subordinated individual. Power is further distinguished by wheter or not the subordinated individual recognize its legitimacy, by types of motivation of obedience and disobedience, and by the consequences of disobedience. Certain characteristics of the power relation are then discussed, and some factors influencing the amount of power are analyzed. A judgment of rank made about either the total person or relatively stable segments of the person constitutes the social status of that person (for the individual making the judgment). Gestures expressing the status of an individual are called deference. Certain types of status are differentiated, and parallel distinctions are made for deference.