Brad Sagarin & Nwachi Tofar
In this presentation, we take a tour through past research on Master/slave relationships (including studies supported by the Master/slave Conference) and share a new model of Power Exchange/Authority Transfer. We suggest that M/s and other types of AT relationships can be distinguished based on seven dimensions (time, domain, depth, consent, autonomy, alignment, and focus), and that these dimensions will more accurately characterize the relationships than will the labels applied to the relationships. We outline potential benefits (non-attachment, reduced conflict, drive toward higher construal, transparency, role clarity, and the decoupling of fair and equal) and costs (potential for abuse, the two-year wall, rigidity and boundaries, fragility, exhaustion, and social sanction) of Master/slave and other types of Authority Transfer relationships.
Finally, we explore the connections between Master/slave and spirituality and ask for your thoughts on where M/s research should go.