Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Low Power Individuals In Social Power Research: A Quantitative Review, Theoretical Framework, And Empirical Test, Michael Schaerer, Christilene Du Plessis, Andy J. Yap, Stefan Thau

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

We examine the role of low-power individuals in social power research. A multi-method literature review reveals that low-power individuals may be insufficiently understood because many studies lack necessary control conditions that allow drawing inferences about low power, effects are predominantly attributed to high power, and qualitative reviews primarily focus on how high-power individuals feel, think, and behave. Challenging the assumption that low power tends to produce opposite consequences of high power, we highlight several similarities between the two states. Based on social exchange theories, we propose that unequal-power (vs. equal-power) relationships make instrumental goals, competitive attitudes, and exchange rules salient, …