On the varieties of asymmetrical dependency: feelings, motives, behavior, and accuracy in a dyadic interaction

Asymmetrical outcome dependency (AOD) has been theorized to produce feelings of powerlessness and anxiety, as well as a heightened motive to be interpersonally accurate. Thus far, the research on AOD has been conducted mainly among participants who were anticipating an outcome‐dependent interaction. Using both self‐report and behavioral measures, the present research investigated the feelings, motives, behavior, and interpersonal accuracy of participants engaged in dyadic task accomplishment under AOD, individual evaluation by the partner (EDP), individual evaluation by the experimenter (EDE), or no dependency. AOD participants showed relatively high levels of felt dominance, less attention to the partner, less happy affect, and less motivational investment than one or more of the other groups. EDP participants appeared to be most interested in being accurate and in making a good impression. No group differences were observed for interpersonal accuracy or anxiety.