This study focused on the role played by two factors--interpersonal attractiveness of group members and pattern of distribution of task-relevant information--in forming an influence base in task-oriented discussion groups. For purposes of the study, members of discussion groups who were confederates in the study were assigned attitudinal attributes of attractiveness or unattractiveness, and task-relevant information was distributed among the group members in differing patterns. Four measures of influence were used to determine how attractiveness and information patterns related to the influence of group members. Analysis indicated that actual influence results differed from influence perceived by group participants; that a high level of interpersonal attractiveness by itself forms a solid influence base; that information selectively improves a person's ability to influence a group; and that, in some cases, unattractiveness hampers a person's ability to influence the group. (Author/GW)