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Power reduces the press of the situation: implications for creativity, conformity and dissonance. (2008)

“..explores whether power psychologically protects people from influence. …experiments demonstrate that the powerful (a) generate creative ideas that are less influenced by salient examples, (b) express attitudes that conform less….

 

Galinsky, A.D., Northwestern University
Magee, J. C., New York University
Gruenfeld, D.H., Stanford University
Whitson, J., University of Texas, Austin
Liljenquist, K.A., Brigham Young University

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 95: 1450-1466.

Although power can certainly impose influence and constraints on others, possessing power can also be conceptualized as freeing people from the influence of external forces. Indeed, Keltner, Gruenfeld, and Anderson (2003) have suggested that the normal restrictions that govern thought, expression, and behavior for most people do not seem to apply to the powerful

The research explores whether power psychologically protects people from influence. In contrast to classic social psychological research demonstrating the strength of the situation in directing attitudes, expressions, and intentions, five experiments demonstrate that the powerful (a) generate creative ideas that are less influenced by salient examples, (b) express attitudes that conform less to the expressed opinions of others, (c) are more influenced by their own social value orientation relative to the reputation of a negotiating opponent, and (d) perceive greater choice in making counterattitudinal statements.

This last experiment illustrates that power is not always psychologically liberating; it can create internal conflict, arousing dissonance, and thereby lead to attitude change. Across the experiments, high-power participants were immune to the typical press of situations, with intrapsychic processes having greater sway than situational or interpersonal ones on their creative and attitudinal expressions.

Access the full paper here: Power reduces the press of the situation: implications for creativity, conformity and dissonance.

 

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