Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
06:41
Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors
Published on: February 26, 2011
A social relations variance partitioning of dyadic behavior
D A Kenny1, C D Mohr, M J Levesque
1Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06269-1020, USA. kenny@uconnvm.uconn.edu
Psychological Bulletin
|March 29, 2001
Summary
People show moderate consistency in their behavior across different partners. However, individuals do not consistently elicit the same response from others, suggesting unique interpersonal dynamics influence dyadic behavior.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Interpersonal Dynamics
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Understanding dyadic behavior is crucial in social psychology.
- Previous research has explored factors influencing interactions, but the relative importance of actor versus partner is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the relative influence of the actor and the interaction partner on dyadic behavior.
- To quantify behavioral consistency and unique responding within social interactions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Social Relations Model (SRM) to analyze data from 7 studies.
- Estimated variance components attributed to actor effects, partner effects, relationship effects, and error.
- Examined behavioral consistency across partners and consistent elicitation of responses.
Main Results:
- Found moderate evidence of behavioral consistency in an individual's behavior across different interaction partners.
- Observed little to no evidence that individuals consistently elicit the same behavioral response from others.
- Identified preliminary evidence suggesting unique behavioral responses to specific partners.
Conclusions:
- Actor effects (behavioral consistency) are moderately important in dyadic behavior.
- Partner effects (consistently eliciting responses) appear to be minimal.
- Relationship effects (unique responding to specific partners) warrant further investigation for understanding interpersonal accuracy.
Related Concept Videos
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
03:20The Stanford Prison Experiment
The famous and controversial Stanford Prison Experiment, conducted by social psychologist Philip Zimbardo and his colleagues at Stanford University, demonstrated the power of social roles, social norms, and scripts.
02:12Relationship Formation
What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...
01:30Causes of Social Behavior I: Actions and Characteristics of Individuals
The actions and characteristics of others heavily influence the causes of social behaviors. Emotional expressions serve as powerful social signals, shaping behaviors and interactions in significant ways. Whether through direct observation or subconscious processing, individuals constantly adjust their responses based on the emotions and attributes of those around them.Emotional Cues and Social ResponsesFacial expressions, tone of voice, and body language provide crucial emotional cues that...
01:15Causes of Social Behavior II: Cognitive Processes
Cognitive processes affect social behavior by guiding how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to social stimuli. These mental processes enable individuals to assess others' behaviors, attribute causes to their actions, and form expectations based on past experiences.Causes of Behavior and Social JudgmentsIndividuals determine the causes of others' behaviors by distinguishing between personal traits and external circumstances. For example, if a friend frequently arrives late, an...
01:26Causes of Similarity-Dissimilarity Effect
The similarity-dissimilarity effect, a fundamental concept in social psychology, explains how interpersonal similarities and differences influence attraction and social interactions. This effect is supported by three key psychological perspectives: balance theory, social comparison theory, and consensual validation.Balance Theory and Cognitive ConsistencyBalance theory, developed by Fritz Heider, posits that individuals seek cognitive consistency in their relationships. When two people share...