Raven, B. H., & French, J. R. P., Jr. (1958). Legitimate power coercive power, and observability in social influence. Sociometry. 21 1958, 83-97.

The effects of legitimate power as compared to coercive power were studied in 2 group work situations using 113 volunteer female college students. In one condition the supervisor was represented as having group support, through election; in the other the supervisor took over her job without group support. Coercion was introduced in half of the groups under each condition through the levying of a monetary fine for nonconformity. As predicted, group support resulted in greater acceptance of legitimacy of office, greater justification of supervisor behavior, greater personal attraction of worker to supervisor, and greater private acceptance

of supervisor influence. Predictions of greater public conformity under group support and lesser legitimacy under coercion were not supported.