Why are firms in an oligopoly less independent in setting prices than firms in monopolistic competition?

Firms in an oligopoly are less independent in setting prices because they are interdependent; the actions of one firm directly influence the others due to a small number of dominant players in the market. This leads firms to consider potential reactions from competitors when setting prices, often resulting in price stability or collusion. In contrast, firms in monopolistic competition operate in a larger market with many competitors, allowing them more freedom to set prices based on their unique product differentiation without as much concern for direct competitive responses.