This is a study of the effect of power differentials in exchanges, the influence of different social network structures, and alternative strategies of interaction. The first of two phases will use computer simulations to extend Network Exchange Theory to effects of different strategic approaches by actors. A second part of the research will use laboratory experiments on exchange between human beings to explore these issues in social networks chosen to permit comparative tests of competing theories. This study is important for two reasons. First, it significantly extends existing research on power in social exchange, which has considerable application in several fields of social science. Second, it is an innovative combination of two distinctive approaches, computer simulation and laboratory social psychology.
