Personal and Impersonal Channels of Recruitment in the Growth of Theory

Abstract

Recruitment of followers to a scientific theory occurs through at least two channels personal and impersonal. The impact of the personal channel was shown by significant correlations between the perceived personal styles of leaders in psychological theory and the extent of their associates’ affiliated publications. Comparing individuals recruited through the personal channel and the impersonal channel (i.e., depersonalized; archival literature), it was found that while impersonal recruitment produces the greatest number of followers, personal recruitment increases and maintains affiliation. These findings are discussed in terms of styles of leadership and theorizing, and the relations between social and intellectual views of scientific theory.

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