Question

Manuel, the second of five children, has referent power at home. people are likely to do what manuel says because:

a. he can make their lives miserable
b. he i so smart
c. he can get them higher allowances
d. he is so likeable

Answer 1

Manuel's referent power at home comes from being likable, a form of personal influence that relies on interpersonal relationships and the respect derived from his personal qualities.

Step-by-step explanation:

that Manuel has referent power at home because d. he is so likable. Referent power is derived from the likability and interpersonal relationships that an individual has with others. It is not dependent on formal authority, monetary rewards, or the capacity to enforce sanctions but rather on the charisma and relational connections.

In contrast to coercive power, which relies on the ability to make someone's life miserable (option a), or reward power, which would involve the ability to increase allowances (option c), referent power is more aligned with an individual's personality and the respect they command within a group.

This concept can be understood by looking at the role of 'big men' in Melanesian and New Guinea societies, who gain influence through generosity and service to the community rather than through formal authority or monetary means. The likability of Manuel signals that he possesses a natural, accepted authority based on personal qualities, similar to how the 'big men' use personal qualities and social investments to establish their influence.