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Körner R, Schütz A, Petersen LE. "It doesn't matter if you are in charge of the trees, you always miss the trees for the forest": Power and the illusion of explanatory depth. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297850. [PMID: 38625848 PMCID: PMC11020624 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Power can increase overconfidence and illusory thinking. We investigated whether power is also related to the illusion of explanatory depth (IOED), people's tendency to think they understand the world in more detail, coherence, and depth than they actually do. Abstract thinking was reported as a reason for the IOED, and according to the social distance theory of power, power increases abstract thinking. We linked these literatures and tested construal style as a mediator. Further, predispositions can moderate effects of power and we considered narcissism as a candidate because narcissism leads to overconfidence and may thus increase the IOED especially in combination with high power. In three preregistered studies (total N = 607), we manipulated power or measured feelings of power. We found evidence for the IOED (regarding explanatory knowledge about devices). Power led to general overconfidence but had only a small impact on the IOED. Power and narcissism had a small interactive effect on the IOED. Meta-analytical techniques suggest that previous findings on the construal-style-IOED link show only weak evidential value. Implications refer to research on management, power, and overconfidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Körner
- Department of Psychology, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Otto-Friedrich-University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Astrid Schütz
- Department of Psychology, Otto-Friedrich-University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Lars-Eric Petersen
- Department of Psychology, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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The social alignment theory of power: Predicting associative and dissociative behavior in hierarchies. RESEARCH IN ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.riob.2022.100178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Wang X, Chen H, Shi J, Chen Z. Threatened humanity in a tight world: Cultural tightness results in self-objectification. GROUP PROCESSES & INTERGROUP RELATIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/13684302221097842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Self-objectification can be considered as a specific kind of self-dehumanization that consists of a perception of oneself as more instrument-like than human-like and a decreased self-attribution of mental states. Self-objectification is commonly observed, and its contributing factors need to be better understood. In the present research, we examined whether cultural tightness, which entails strong social norms and punishments for deviant behaviors, is an antecedent to self-objectification. Our hypotheses were confirmed by four studies, involving quasi-experiments and fully controlled experiments ( N = 2,693). In particular, Chinese college students living in a region with a tight culture (compared to a loose culture, Study 1), American employees working in an industry with a tight corporate culture (compared to a loose culture, Study 2), American participants who were induced to support cultural tightness (vs. cultural looseness, Study 3), and those who were situated in a simulated tight culture (vs. a loose culture, Study 4) all showed increased levels of self-objectification. As such, they acknowledged their personhood less and focused more on their instrumentality. Implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hao Chen
- Nankai University, China
- Sun Yat-sen University, China
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L’effet médiateur de l’épuisement professionnel et des violences psychologiques dans le processus d’auto-objectification au travail. PSYCHOLOGIE DU TRAVAIL ET DES ORGANISATIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pto.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Crone L, Brunel L, Auzoult L. Validation of a Perception of Objectification in the Workplace Short Scale (POWS). Front Psychol 2021; 12:651071. [PMID: 34163402 PMCID: PMC8215106 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.651071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of studies focus on the phenomenon of objectification in the workplace. This phenomenon reflects a process of subjection of the employee, where he is considered as an object, a mean (utilitarian) or reduced to one of his attributes. Previous studies have shown that objectification can have consequences on the workplace health or performance. Field studies are based on objectification measures based on tools whose psychometric qualities are unclear. Based on a previous workplace objectification measurement scale, we conducted a study with the aim of devising a new parsimonious scale. We present three studies which aim to validate this new scale. In the first study, an EFA and a CFA were performed in order to construct a scale and verify its structure validity. We obtained a 10-item scale reporting two factors labeled “Instrumental value” and “Powerfulness.” The psychometric qualities of this scale were satisfactory, i.e., showed good internal reliability and good structural validity. In a second study, we tested the convergent and divergent validity of the scale. We observe that POWS is adequately correlated with dehumanization indicators. Finally, in a third study, we found that only powerfulness was associated with negative consequences for occupational health. This suggests that objectification is a process of social perception that contributes either to the devaluation of social agents in the workplace or to normal functioning at work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lola Crone
- Laboratory Epsylon EA 4556, Department of Psychology, University Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Lionel Brunel
- Laboratory Epsylon EA 4556, Department of Psychology, University Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Auzoult
- Laboratory Psy-DREPI EA 7458, Department of Psychology, University Bourgogne, Dijon, France
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Mayiwar L, Lai L. Replication of Study 1 in “Differentiating Social and Personal Power” by Lammers, Stoker, and Stapel (2009). SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1027/1864-9335/a000388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. We performed an independent, direct, and better powered ( N = 295) replication of Study 1, an experiment ( N = 113) by Lammers, Stoker, and Stapel (2009) . Lammers and colleagues distinguished between social power (influence over others) and personal power (freedom from the influence of others), and found support for their predictions that the two forms of power produce opposite effects on stereotyping, but parallel effects on behavioral approach. Our results did not replicate the effects on behavioral approach, but partially replicated the effects on stereotyping. Compared to personal power, social power produced less stereotyping, but neither form of power differed significantly from the control condition, and effect sizes were considerably lower than the original estimates. Potential explanations are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewend Mayiwar
- Department of Leadership and Organizational Studies, BI Norwegian Business School, Oslo, Norway
| | - Linda Lai
- Department of Leadership and Organizational Studies, BI Norwegian Business School, Oslo, Norway
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Schaerer M, du Plessis C, Yap AJ, Thau S. Low power individuals in social power research: A quantitative review, theoretical framework, and empirical test. ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR AND HUMAN DECISION PROCESSES 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.obhdp.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Abstract
High-power people frequently receive compliments from subordinates, yet little is known about how high-power people respond to praise. The current research addresses this gap in the empirical literature by testing the primary hypothesis that high-power people discount others’ praise more than equal- and low-power people. Secondary hypotheses also tested whether high-power people’s tendency to discount positive feedback would paradoxically heighten negative perceptions of others. Evidence from two experiments (one preregistered) reveals that high-power participants discounted feedback from others more than low- and equal-power participants. However, high-power people’s tendency to discount feedback only produced negative partner perceptions when positive feedback, but not neutral feedback, was discounted. These results suggest that compliments may sometimes backfire and lead high-power people to discount praise and form negative impressions of subordinates.
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Briñol P, Petty RE, Belding J. Objectification of people and thoughts: An attitude change perspective. BRITISH JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2017; 56:233-249. [PMID: 28188637 DOI: 10.1111/bjso.12183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Many objectification phenomena can be understood from a mind-body dualism perspective in which the more people focus on their bodies, the less they focus on their minds. Instead of viewing mind and body in opposition to each other, we advocate for a more reciprocal view in which mind and body work in conjunction. Consistent with an integrated mind-body approach, we begin our review by describing research on embodied persuasion revealing that focusing on our own body can reduce but also increase thinking (elaboration), as well as affecting the use of thoughts in forming evaluations (validation). Next, we extend our integrated view to a new domain and suggest that physical objects can influence thoughts and that one's thoughts can also be objectified. The first portion of this section focuses on research on enclothed cognition revealing that wearing physical objects can operate through the same processes of elaboration (increasing and decreasing thinking) and validation (increasing and decreasing thought usage) as the body. The second portion reveals that thoughts can be understood and treated as if they were physical objects affecting evaluative processes by influencing elaboration and validation processes. The final section provides some practical guidance relevant to campaigns designed to reduce the objectification of women and the infrahumanization of stigmatized groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Briñol
- Psychology Department, Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain
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Wang X, Krumhuber EG. The love of money results in objectification. BRITISH JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2016; 56:354-372. [PMID: 27611242 DOI: 10.1111/bjso.12158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Objectification, which refers to the treatment of others as objectlike things, has long been observed in capitalism. While the negative impact of money on interpersonal harmony has been well documented, the social cognitive processes that underlie them are relatively unknown. Across four studies, we explored whether the love of money leads to objectification, while controlling for social power and status. In Study 1, the love and importance attached to money positively predicted the tendency to construe social relationships based on instrumentality. In Study 2, the likelihood to favour a target of instrumental use was increased by momentarily activating an affective state of being rich. Temporarily heightening the motivation for money further resulted in deprivation of mental capacities of irrelevant others, including humans (Study 3) and animals (Study 4). This lack of perceived mental states partially mediated the effects of money on subsequent immoral behaviour (Study 4). The findings are the first to reveal the role of objectification as a potential social cognitive mechanism for explaining why money often harms interpersonal harmony.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xijing Wang
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London, UK
| | - Eva G Krumhuber
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London, UK
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Landkammer F, Sassenberg K. Der Einfluss von Gruppenmitgliedschaften auf den Informationsaustausch mit digitalen Kommunikationsmedien. PSYCHOLOGISCHE RUNDSCHAU 2016. [DOI: 10.1026/0033-3042/a000303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Zusammenfassung. Digitale Medien sind zum zentralen Mittel des Informationsaustausches in Lern- und Arbeitskontexten geworden. Durch die Reduktion sozialer Hinweisreize während computervermittelter Kommunikation (cvK) kommt der Wahrnehmung sozialer Beziehungen davor eine besondere Bedeutung zu. Dieser Beitrag fasst Forschung zum computervermittelten Informationsaustausch zusammen und legt dabei zwei Schwerpunkte. Zum einen liefert er einen Überblick über Forschung zu sozialem Einfluss (d. h. Informationsrezeption) in cvK. Diese zeigt, dass cvK zu einer stärkeren Orientierung an vor der Kommunikation salienten Selbstaspekten (z. B. gemeinsame Gruppenmitgliedschaften) führt: Ist eine gemeinsame soziale Identität salient, kommt es zu mehr sozialem Einfluss, werden keine (positiven) sozialen Beziehungen wahrgenommen, kommt es zu weniger sozialem Einfluss sowie anderen egozentrischen Tendenzen. Zum anderen wird Forschung zusammengefasst, die belegt, dass die Salienz einer sozialen Identität in cvK die aus negativen Erwartungen, defensiven Selbstregulationsstrategien und sozialer Macht resultierenden egozentrischen Tendenzen kompensieren kann. Die gleichzeitige Berücksichtigung individueller und sozialer Aspekte des Selbst ist somit wesentlich, um Vorhersagen zum medienvermittelten Informationsaustausch treffen zu können.
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