When Low Power Meets Status: Powerlessness Triggers Behavioral Inhibition Only Under Low Status

Abstract

It has been argued that powerlessness activates the behavioral inhibition system (BIS; Keltner, Gruenfeld, & Anderson, 2003). Here we investigated the interactive effects of powerlessness and status-driven by actual or perceived competence-on the BIS. In Experiments 1 and 2 only powerless participants who were or feared being seen as incompetent self-reported behavioral avoidance toward power holders. Similarly, in Experiment 3 only those who were powerless and incompetent showed BIS-related emotion, action, and negotiation strategies. Moreover, in Experiment 4 the effects of incompetence on avoidant behavior among powerless individuals were mediated by BIS activation, seen in measures of frontal hemisphere asymmetry. These findings support the notion that having low status on dimensions relevant to powerless roles activates the BIS, whereas higher status levels are a buffer against lack of power.

Powering Sustainable Consumption: The Roles of Green Consumption Values and Power Distance Belief

“…In addition, we show that the effect of power differs from that of status in the context of green consumption, consistent with prior research indicating that power and status are closely related but distinct concepts in the social hierarchy, reflecting resources and prestige, respectively (Magee and Galinsky 2008). Nonetheless, recent research suggests an interaction effect between status and power (Deng et al 2018). Potentially some consumers may have both resources and prestige (e.g.…”

“…We showed that our predicted effects of power on green consumption held after controlling for need for status (Studies 1a and 2). These findings suggest that the effects of power (based on resources) and status (based on prestige) are distinct in the green consumption context (Deng et al 2018;Fiske et al 2016).…”

The Effects of Power on Consumer Decision Strategies: The Mediating Role of Behavioral Approach-Inhibition Tendency and the Moderating Role of Gender

“…To verify that the power manipulation was effective, participants reported how much they were in charge, how much the other person(s) was in charge, how much influence they had, and how much influence the other person(s) had in the described incident on 9-point scales ranging from 1 (not at all) to 9 (very much). 42 …”

“…In contrast, a lack of power is related to limited access to valuable resources, increased constraints, and exposure to potential threats and punishments, which trigger the activation of the BIS. 41 , 42 The approach-inhibition tendency of power highlights that most consequences of having power can be considered as the results of BAS activation, whereas most consequences of lacking power can be seen as the results of BIS activation. The behavioral tendencies of approach and inhibition further influence the affect, attention, cognition, and social behavior of powerful and powerless people.…”

Who Do I (Dis)Trust and Monitor for Ethical Misconduct? Status, Power, and the Structural Paradox

“…For example, power can activate approach-related behaviors, heighten mating expectations, increase racial prejudice and the objectification of others, and reduce compassion (Gruenfeld et al, 2008 ; Guinote et al, 2010 ; Guinote, 2017 ; Keltner et al, 2003 ; Kuntsman & Maner, 2011 ; van Kleef et al, 2008 ). On the other hand, a lack of power is associated with negative affect, vigilance, and inhibition but not when the actor also possesses status (Deng et al, 2018 ; Keltner et al, 2003 ).…”