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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2012 Jun 1.
Published in final edited form as: J Biomed Inform. 2010 Feb 20;44(3):497–504. doi: 10.1016/j.jbi.2010.02.007

Table 1.

Raven’s Social Power Bases and Corresponding Influence[16, 18]

Base of Power Form of Influence Example of Actions
Reward Impersonal reward Give something desired
Personal reward Receive personal approval from someone liked or valued highly
Coercion Impersonal coercion Impose punishment
Personal coercion Threaten rejection or disapproval from someone valued highly
Legitimacy Position power Tell/ask to do something because they are your boss/superior
Reciprocity Oblige someone to do something because you did something for them
Responsibility or dependence Depend on someone to do something because they are the only one who can do it
Equity (compensatory) Oblige someone to do something to make up for pain or difficulty they caused
Expertise Positive Inform someone how something should be done because of your previous experience with it or knowledge
Negative Imply that someone does not know as much about this as you do
Reference Positive Mimic or model yourself after someone
Negative Do the opposite of what someone does or recommends due to unattractive actions or negative feelings toward them.
Informational Direct Explain the reason using logical arguments that this is the case, to help someone understand
Indirect Overhear a conversation or mention a similar case