Also known as French and Raven's bases of power.Helps to understand leadership in a better way.

1. Interpersonal Interaction Model
(IPIM) or French and Raven’s bases
of power
Prepared by:
Arindam Bhattacharjee
Research intern at IIM Kozhikode
MBA 1st year, NIT Rourkela

2. Introduction
• In a notable study of power conducted by social psychologists John R.
P. French and Bertram Raven in 1959, power is divided into six
separate and distinct forms :
Coercive Reward Legitimate
Referent Expert Informational

3. Interpersonal Interaction Model (IPIM)
IPIM
Coercion
Impersonal
coercion
Personal
coercion
Reward
Impersonal
reward
Personal
reward
Legitimacy
Formal
position
Legitimacy of
equity
Legitimacy of
dependence
Legitimacy of
reciprocity
Expert
Positive
Negative
Referent
Positive
Negative
Informational
Direct
Indirect
6 bases of power have been sub-divided
into 14 bases known as IPIM.

4. PowerLegitimate
Position
Impersonal
Reward
Personal
Reward
Impersonal
Coercive
Personal
Coercive
Expert
Referent
Informational
Legitimate
Dependence
Legitimate
Equity
Legitimate
Reciprocity
= HARD
=SOFT

5. Coercion
Coercive power uses the threat of force
to gain compliance from another. Force
may include physical, social, emotional,
political, or economic means.
Impersonal coercion:
An example of impersonal coercion
relates a person's belief that the
influencing agent has the real power to
physically threaten, impose a monetary
fine or dismiss an employee.
Personal coercion :
An example of personal coercion
relates to a threat of rejection or the
possibility of disapproval from a
person whom is highly valued.

6. Reward power
Reward power
Reward power is based on
the right of some to offer
or deny tangible, social,
emotional, or
spiritual rewards to others
for doing what is wanted
or expected of them.
Impersonal reward :
An example of impersonal
reward relates to promises
of promotions, money and
rewards from various
social areas.
Personal reward:
An example of personal
reward relates to the
reward of receiving
approval from a desired
person and building
relationships with
romantic partners.

7. LegitimacyLegitimacy
Legitimate power comes from an elected, selected, or appointed position of authority
and may be underpinned by social norms. This power which means the ability to
administer to another certain feelings of obligation or the notion of responsibility.
The legitimate position power is based on the social norm which requires people to
be obedient to those who hold superior positions in a formal or informal social
structure.
The legitimate power of reciprocity is based on the social norm of reciprocity which states
how we feel obligated to do something in return for someone who does something beneficial for
us.
The legitimate power of equity is based on the social norm of equity. The social
norm of equity makes people feel compelled to compensate someone who has suffered
or worked hard.
The legitimate power of dependence is based on the social norm of social
responsibility. Social responsibility norm states how people feel obligated to help
someone who is in need of assistance.

8. Referent power
Referent power is rooted in the affiliations we make and/or the
groups and organizations we belong to.
Positive referent :
Referent power in a positive form utilizes the shared personal
connection or shared belief between the influencing agent and
target with the intention of positively correlated actions of the
target.
Negative referent :
Referent power in a negative form produces actions in opposition
to the intent of the influencing agent, this is the result from the
agent's creation of cognitive dissonance between the referent
influencing agent and the target's perception of that influence.

9. Expert power
Expertpower Expert power is based on what one knows, experience, and
special skills or talents. Expertise can be demonstrated by
reputation, credentials certifying expertise, and actions.
Positive expert :
Expert power in a positive form influences the target to act
accordingly as instructed by the expert, based on the
assumption of the expert's correct knowledge.
Negative expert :
Expert power in a negative form can result from a person
acting in opposition to the experts instructions if the target
feels that the expert has personal gain motives.

10. Informational power
Divided into two parts
Direct :
Information presented
by the influencing agent
directly to the target of
change.
Indirect :
Information presented
influencing agent indirectly to
the target of change void of
attempting influence, such as
hints or suggestions.
Information power
comes as a result of
possessing knowledge
that others need or
want.
Information possessed
that no one needs or
wants is powerless.
Informational power

11. Conclusion
• Thus, French and Raven identified six bases of power using
which a change in attitude of target can be achieved.

12. Reference
• www.wikipedia.com,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_and_Raven%27s_bases
_of_power, accessed on 21st May 2017.

13. THANKS