Collaborative Research: Impact of Legitimacy by Endorsement on Coalition Formation in Power Structures

本研究整合两大社会学理论研究视角——网络交换理论和合法性理论，研究强势权力结构中认可合法性对联盟形成的影响。根据网络交换理论（NET），已经完成的实验表明，高功率的中心参与者在交换中获得最大的利益，而低功率的外围设备获得最小的回报。本研究的问题是，低权力行为者是否会采取行动，形成联盟，反对施加在他们身上的权力，如果是这样，效果如何。合法性理论认为，群体成员更有可能采取集体合法化的行动。当应用于交换网络过程时，LT意味着低权力行为者更有可能发起联盟活动，实际形成联盟，并在联盟形成合法化时有效地采取行动。目前的实验将研究认可对合法性的影响。在LT中，背书是指低权力行动者对社会情境的各种要素，包括行动者、职位或角色、行为以及联结行动者、角色和行为的规则所给予的认可或支持。在本次实验研究中，受试者将分两部分完成一系列的谈判与交流。在第一部分中，主体独立协商交换。没有人有机会组建联合政府。NET和LT的联合应用表明，在高认可条件下，被试最有可能发起联盟形成并实际形成联盟，而在低认可条件下，被试最不可能这样做，而控制条件则介于两者之间。期望联盟在高认可条件下更稳定（即，成员不太可能叛变）和更有效，而在低认可条件下最不稳定和最不有效。一个联盟的有效性是由它在对抗力量方面的成功程度来衡量的。双结构设计允许观察规模对联盟形成、稳定性和有效性的影响，并允许测试超过20个额外的理论预测。更广泛的影响集体行动理论为集体行动的前景描绘了一幅相当黯淡的画面。然而，集体行动确实会成功，而且当它们成功时，这种理论往往是沉默的。他们有时会因为合法性的影响而成功吗？这项研究将回答这个问题。这项研究将通过将其联合设计添加到南卡罗莱纳大学的网络实验室（webab.moore.sc.edu）来增强社会学的基础设施。像所有的网络实验室设计一样，美国或其他地方的研究人员都可以访问这些网站。南加州大学的实验室为研究型学习做出了贡献，通过网络实验室为本科生和研究生提供课程。本研究中使用的设计将重要地加强课程工作。南加州大学的实验室也增强了学生研究人员的多样性。目前，大多数学生研究人员是女性，在一个典型的年份，20%的学生研究人员是非裔美国人。

SES-0456064David WillerUniversity of South CarolinaSES-0455926Henry WalkerUniversity of ArizonaThis research integrates two major sociological theoretical research perspectives-Network Exchange Theory and Legitimacy Theory-to study the effects of legitimacy by endorsement on coalition formation in strong power structures. From Network Exchange Theory (NET), experiments have been completed to show that high-power central actors reap maximal benefits at exchange and low-power peripherals get minimal rewards. At issue for this research is whether low power actors will act to form coalitions and oppose the power exercised over them and, if so, with what effectiveness. Legitimacy Theory (LT) argues that group members are more likely to take actions that are collectively legitimized. When applied to exchange network processes, LT implies that low power actors are more likely to initiate coalition activity, to actually form coalitions, and to act effectively in them when coalition formation has been legitimized. The current experiments will study the effects of legitimacy by endorsement. In LT, endorsement refers to the approval or support that low power actors give to various elements of social situations including actors, positions or roles, behaviors and the rules that link actors, roles and behaviors. In this experimental study, subjects will complete a series of negotiations and exchanges in two-part. In Part 1, subjects negotiate exchanges independently. No one is given the opportunity to form a coalition. Joint application of NET and LT implies that subjects are most likely to initiate coalition formation and to actually form coalitions in the High Endorsement treatment and least likely to do so in the Low Endorsement condition with the control condition falling between. Coalitions are expected to be more stable (i.e., members are less likely to defect) and more effective in the High Endorsement condition and least stable and least effective in the Low Endorsement condition. A coalition's effectiveness is measured by the extent of its success in countervailing power. The two-structure design permits observation of size effects on coalition formation, stability and effectiveness, and permits tests of more than 20 additional theoretical predictions.BROADER IMPACTThe theory of collective action offers a quite gloomy picture for the prospects of acting collectively. Nevertheless, collective actions do succeed and, when they do, often that theory is silent. Do they succeed at times because of the effects of legitimacy? This research will answer that question. The research will enhance sociology's infrastructure by adding its coalition designs to the Web-Lab housed at the University of South Carolina (weblab.moore.sc.edu). Like all Web-Lab designs, researchers at any location in the U.S. or elsewhere will be able to access these. The USC laboratory contributes to research-based learning, offering undergraduate and graduate classes using the Web-Lab. Designs used in this research will importantly enhance that course work. The USC laboratory also enhances diversity among student researchers. Currently, the majority of student researchers are women and, in a typical year, 20% of student researchers are African-American.