Attention, Power and CommunicationAttention, Power and CommunicationStefana Broadbent (Ph.D.) UCL Department of Anthropology

Status relations, in general, are fundamentally about the

distribution of attention-getting and attention-giving across the

social hierarchy. Those of lower status are expected to give

attention to others. Those of higher status are expected to demand

and receive the attention of others.

Charles Derber 1979 “The pursuit of attention”

Attention and Status

Reasons for choosing a channel are complex

SMS for grooming

Not urgent coordination

Voice for immediacy

Some channels have less than 3 contacts

Asynchronous channels increase number of contacts

Broadcast

Synchronous Asynchronous

Attention demand determines the number of contacts

Low Attention

Immediate Attention Deferred attention

Hierarchy of attention Number of regular contacts

Skype with video

Voice calls land line

Voice calls mobile

IM

Texting

Email

Social networking

3

5

5

5

> 10

> 10

> 100

Inverse relation between attention and contacts

Preferred channels change according to social distance

Broadcast

Text

Voice

The Intimate Circle, the Close Circle, and Weak Ties