Question

According to the interpersonal needs theory by Will Schutz, Why does society tend to view in a negative light a person who enjoys control?

Answer 1

According to interpersonal needs of theory, the need for control is expressed in the individual through three personality types: Abdicrat, Autocrat, Democrat.

The abdicrat is a person who assumes a passive role in interpersonal relationships. He or she refuses to take control in virtually any situation because it is safer to let others assume the responsibility associated with having control of a situation. In contrast to the abdicrat is the autocrat who consistently assumes the dominant position in interpersonal relationships. This person is afraid to let someone else have control because of the fear that others will dominate him or her. The idea of allowing someone else to have control in a given situation is unbearable and completely unacceptable; thus, the person overcompensates by always striving for control in order to maintain the dominant position. The third personality type is once again a healthy balance between the above two extremes. This person, the democrat, has achieved a balance between the need to control and the ability to be controlled by others. He or she recognizes the importance of being able to lead if the situation calls for leadership, but also being able to stand back and allow another person to assume control when necessary. This person has satisfactorily met his or her need for control.

The need for control in a relationship manifests itself as the desire for power, authority, and control over others and therefore over one’s future . This need to control often becomes a personality characteristic of the individual who cannot tolerate others control and is manifested by a displacement of control into other areas in a consistent attempt to dominate others . This need is commonly a precursor to violence within dating couples . If one of the members of a couple is an autocrat, he or she will attempt to control various aspects of the partners behavior. If that sense of control is threatened the individual would be more likely to resort to whatever measures are necessary to maintain that sense of control.