How Power Affects Our Understanding of Power
Author Information
Author(s): Wang Xinyue, Liu Jingyuan, Li Hong
Primary Institution: Tsinghua University
Hypothesis
Do people construe power differently when they are in powerful and powerless conditions?
Conclusion
People in powerful conditions tend to view power in a more socialized way, while those in powerless conditions see it as a paradox.
Supporting Evidence
- Powerful people tend to construe power in a socialized orientation.
- Powerless people view power as a paradox due to their sense of entitlement.
- Psychological entitlement mediates the relationship between power and power construal.
Takeaway
When people have power, they often think of it as a way to help others, but when they don't have power, they see it as confusing and unfair.
Methodology
The study involved three empirical studies examining how power influences power construal through psychological entitlement.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from self-selection in participant recruitment and the reliance on self-reported measures.
Limitations
The research primarily focused on self-reported data and may not account for all situational factors affecting power dynamics.
Participant Demographics
The studies included a diverse sample of participants from the USA, with varying ages and genders.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
[−3.88, −3.35]
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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