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Power: Do Powerful People Want Your Opinion, Care What You Think, Use Sex, And Know What Happens When YOU are Powerless?

by Kevin Hogan

For example, if you have strong arguments to get a raise, try not to ask the boss in her office, where she is surrounded by the trappings of power. Bring up the topic in a lunch room or somewhere where there aren't reminders of who is in charge.

But if you do have to talk in the boss's office, try to say something that shakes his or her confidence.

"Our research shows that power makes people more confident in their beliefs, but power is only one thing that affects confidence," Petty said. "Try to bring up something that the boss doesn't know, something that makes him less certain and that tempers his confidence."

But once you do make your argument, assuming it is cogent, it is good to remind the boss that he is in charge.

"You want to sow all your arguments when the boss is not thinking of his power, and after you make a good case, then remind your boss of his power. Then he will be more confident in his own evaluation of what you say. As long as you make good arguments, he will be more likely to be persuaded," Petty said.

Petty said the research casts doubt on the classic assertion that power corrupts people and leads them to negative actions. Instead, what power does is make people more likely to unquestionably believe their own thoughts and act on them, he said.

Both low- and high-power people may have negative thoughts at times, and think about doing something bad. But because high- power people are more confident in their thoughts - and less susceptible to countering views - they are more likely to follow through into action.

"A lot of people may have a momentary thought about doing something bad, but they don't do it because they can inhibit themselves. A powerful person is more likely to follow through on the negative thoughts," Petty said.

By the same token, if a powerful person has a positive, pro- social thought, she may be more likely to follow through on that thought and turn it into reality.

"Powerful people are more likely to act on what they are thinking - good or bad - without second guessing themselves," Petty said.

*The study was published in a recent issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Other co-authors of the study included Derek Rucker of Northwestern University, Carmen Valle of Universidad San Pablo CEU de Madrid and Alberto Becerra of Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Ohio State University (2008, February 15). When People Feel Powerful, They Ignore New Opinions

To read about those in powerless positions, turn the page...

Continue: Page | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

Kevin Hogan
Network 3000 Publishing
3432 Denmark #108
Eagan, MN 55123
(612) 616-0732

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