Taming Power: The Effects of Perspective Taking on Behavioral and Verbal Power Tactics.

TL;DRAbstract

Social power can yield both positive and negative outcomes, but which factors contribute to these different outcomes is unclear. Drawing from previous research showing that power is related to decreased perspective taking behaviors (Galinsky, Magee, Inesi, & Gruenfeld, 2006), my dissertation turns this causal relationship around to examine how perspective taking affects power. Using multiple methodologies, the current studies explore how perspective taking relates to the recognition of power and the exercise of power. Two correlational studies found that dispositional perspective taking was positively associated with inclusive power recognition (Study 1) and soft/relational power tactics (Study 2), but negatively associated with the use of harsh/coercive power tactics. A quasi-experimental study found that dispositional perspective taking was positively associated with polite verbal power tactics, but only under conditions of high power (Study 3). Findings for Studies 2 and 3 were repl

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