DESIRE FOR CONTROL AND INTERPERSONAL INTERACTION STYLE

Three studies were conducted to examine the relationship between individual differences in desire for control and interpersonal interaction style. In Experiment 1, high desire for control subjects disclosed less intimate information about themselves in a laboratory task than lows. An examination of daily reports in Experiment 2 found that low desire for control subjects initiated more of their daily conversations and enjoyed those interactions more than did highs. However, the high desire for control subjects ended more conversations than did lows. In Experiment 3, "get-acquainted" conversations between two high desire for control subjects were characterized by an increase in interruptions and more episodes of simultaneous talking than when one high and one low desire for control subject interacted. Contrary to expectation, a large number of interruptions and simultaneous talking episodes also characterized the conversations between two low desire for control subjects. A picture of a high desire for control interpersonal style emerges from this research-one of exercising restraint in interacting with others as well as utilizing several control-maintaining strategies. © 1990.