SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS

WHAT ARE SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS?

We discussed in the previous module how personal relationships can also be very exclusive
and emotionally intense, such as in romantic relationships. Personal relationships ally present
among family members, close friends, and lovers whom one shares intimate information with.
Social relationships tend to be less intimate, with lesser self-disclosure involved, but may still be
exclusive, and may demand certain levels of loyalty as in fraternities or religious organizations,
and to a lesser extent, loosely knitted social clubs like practitioners of certain specialized
professions.
Middle and late adolescents usually find themselves in the company of their peers, usually from
the school or the neighborhood. As they gravitate more toward these groups, the attachment
to family as their primary source of personal development now shifts toward these peer groups.
Being able to create friendships and new attachments is critical in the development of
adolescents as they transition to young adulthood. From high school to college, adolescents
mature faster socially, and new lessons are learned especially on how their social interactions
affirm their self-identity, increase their self-esteem, and develop their capacity to nurture
relationships.

Our social relationships are affected by different factors. One of which is social influence.
What is social influence and how does this work in our lives?
SOCIAL INFLUENCE

According to Lisa Rashotte, social influence is defined by social psychologists John R. P.

French and Bertram Raven as things such as behavior, actions, attitude, concepts, ideas,
communications, wealth, and other resources that bring about changes in the beliefs,
attitudes, and/or behavior of persons as a result of the action/s of another person.

Rashotte further explored how social influence is usually conducted through the use of power
whether this was done authoritatively, coercively, suggestively, or by giving rewards. In some
other instances, Rashotte pointed out how social influence happens as a result of interacting
with other people who are perceived to be subject matter experts or of having similar
persuasions as the ones being influenced. She concluded that French and Raven were able
to conclude in that study how leadership and power are closely interlinked.

Social Relationships | Page 2 of 7

Edited By: Mr. Erwin John E. Resurreccion
TYPES OF SOCIAL INFLUENCE

There are different forms of social influence observable in a society. Each form provides
different ways and manifestations by which a person is influenced.

Social Relationships | Page 3 of 7

Edited By: Mr. Erwin John E. Resurreccion
 It is when there is a willing rejection of a social influence being exerted on an individual or
group. This is also known as anti – or non – conformity.

It is when a person follows what someone tells him or her to do, although it may not
necessarily reflect the person’s set of beliefs or values which stems from fear or respect.

It is used by another person or group to influence another to change their beliefs,

actions, or attitudes by appealing to reason or emotion.

Social influence coincides with another important factor that affects social relationships. This is
leadership. What does it mean to become a leader?

LEADERSHIP

Chester Barnard (1938) defined leadership as the ability of a person in position of authority to
influence others to behave in such a manner that goals are achieved. Power is also annexed
to leadership as espoused by French and Raven (1960) who said that a leader may obtain
power through various means and sources, such as position, giving rewards, expertise, respect,
or coercion. There are several existing theories of leadership:

Social Relationships | Page 4 of 7

Edited By: Mr. Erwin John E. Resurreccion
THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP

1. Trait Theory

This theory defines leadership based on certain personality traits which are generally suited for
all leaders, such as decisiveness, persistence, high level of self-confidence and assertiveness,
among others.

2. Behavioral Theory

This theory presupposes that leadership is a learned behavior, and that leaders are defined
according to certain types of behavior they exhibit.

3. Participative Theory

The opposite of an autocratic leader, the participative leader involves other people to make
common decisions.

4. Situational Theory

This theory assumes that there is no one style of leadership and that leadership behavior is
based on the factors present in a situation, and usually takes into consideration how followers
behave.

5. Transactional Theory

This theory states that leadership involves a transaction or negotiation of resources or position,
and usually employs reward and punishment.

6. Transformational Theory

This theory involves a vision, which a leader uses to rally support from followers, and the role of
the leader is in motivating others to support the vision and make it happen.

Social Relationships | Page 5 of 7

Edited By: Mr. Erwin John E. Resurreccion
AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP

Other leadership theories currently

being explored and researched on
are combinations of the different
theories mentioned earlier. In the
book Why Should Anyone Be Led by
You?: What It Takes to Be an
Authentic Leader by Rob Goffee and
Gareth Jones (2006), the authors lined
up three basic axioms of leadership,
and these are:

1. Leadership is situational. This means that a leader's behavior and what is required of him
will always be influenced by the situation. It means that a leader is able to assess a situation
quickly,

of his followers.

2. Leadership is non-hierarchical. The exercise of leadership is not based on one's position in

an organizational chart alone, but also dependent on other factors such as characteristics,
skills, and even connections.

3. Leadership is relational. Leaders and followers establish a relationship where their interests
are mutually met. The role of a leader in this relationship can vary from being a their leaders
often desire to belong to a bigger entity like visionary to a cheerleader. Followers in a
relationship with a community, and their expectation of their leader is one who is genuine
or authentic. This authenticity is expressed in behavioral terms that are communicated
effectively and consistently to the followers.

An authentic leader, according to Goffee and Jones (2006), has the following critical elements
present: They walk their talk. They are consistent in what they say and what they do, practicing
what they are preaching. They adjust to situations and display adaptability and flexibility but
consistent with their values and real selves even when they take on different roles during
different situations.

They have a high level of comfort being themselves, even if they come from backgrounds that
are different from the people or situations they deal with. An example of this is Gat Andres
Bonifacio, who found himself dealing with people from all classes, rich or poor, the
uneducated or the intelligentsia (intellectuals or highly educated people), and felt
comfortable being with them.

Authentic leadership, therefore, is primarily determined by how followers view the leader; thus,
attributing a leader's authenticity through the eyes of his or her followers. Reflection: Identify
someone who you think have the three elements of an authentic leader.

Social Relationships | Page 6 of 7

Edited By: Mr. Erwin John E. Resurreccion
LEADER-MEMBER EXCHANGE
(LMX) THEORY

So far, various theories have been

presented to define leadership, its role
and its qualities. There was also a
mention that there is no leader without
a follower. Another perspective of
leadership casts followership as a
defining factor for leadership. St-Hilare,
in her paper discussing the various
theories of leadership, mentioned a
theory involving the dynamics
between a leader and his or her
followers.

LMX theory states that a leader's effectiveness is measured by the quality of his relationship
with his followers, and different types of relationships can evolve between leader and follower
in a certain work situation. Results of these types of relationships exchange of resources
between leader and follower that is meaningful and viewed by both parties as fair.

ELEMENTS FOLLOWERS WANT FROM A LEADER

Rob Goffee and Gareth Jones emphasized the role of the follower as a vital ingredient in the
success of a leader. There are four elements follower want from a leader:

1. Authenticity. The leader is not afraid to show his or her weakness, reveals his human side
without fear, and uses these together with his strengths to lead others.
2. Significance. A leader provides the reason or meaning for followers to believe in.
3. Excitement. A leader provides motivation and inspiration to his or her followers and excites
them to pursue their vision.
4. Community. A leader builds a community of followers with whom they can associate and
forge relationships.
Unlike some theories that claim everyone can be a leader, Goffee and Jones reason that
leadership is not for everyone. Leadership, they theorized, are for those who want to be come
leaders and are ready to take on responsibilities of being one. They concluded that leadership
is measured not merely by its results but most importantly on the way it provides meaning to
the leadership cause.

Social Relationships | Page 7 of 7

Edited By: Mr. Erwin John E. Resurreccion