Selfish power and unselfish status in Chinese work situations

Abstract

The present research explored the selfishness of power and status as well as the mechanism in Chinese work situations. By using experimental and survey methods, two studies were designed to investigate the relationships among power, status, and self‐interested behaviour (SIB) as well as the mediating effect of perspective‐taking (PT). Results of the two studies consistently indicated that power increases whereas status reduces SIB. These opposing behavioural effects are partially attributed to the fact that power reduces whereas status increases PT. In addition, our results showed an interaction between power and status on SIB in Study 1 (interaction as a mental function), and a positive correlation between perceived power and status in Study 2 (correlation as a mental perception). Through the discussion from the perspective of the self/other‐orientation trait, as well as the stable effects of power and status on SIB in the two studies, we conclude that power is selfish and status is unselfish in Chinese work situations.

Travel in your way or in my way? Resolution of conflict between young adult children and their parents during family vacation decision-making

“…In addition, the process of perspective taking can be a means of facilitating conflict resolution. Perspective taking at different levels might result in different resolution styles of conflict (Jin, Li, & Liu, 2020). For example, greater perspective taking could lead to greater forgiveness, greater yielding conflict style, and lesser fighting style (Rizkalla et al, 2008).…”

“…In addition, perspective taking is associated with conflict resolution styles (Rizkalla et al, 2008). Greater perspective taking predicts greater yielding and compromising and less fighting and dominating (Jin et al, 2020). With greater use of perspective taking, individuals are more likely to do as others expect, and less likely to assert themselves (Rizkalla et al, 2008).…”