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The Effect of Credibility on Perceived Power 1
Author(s) -
Nesler Mitchell S.,
Aguinis Herman,
Quigley Brian M.,
Tedeschi James T.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1559-1816
pISSN - 0021-9029
DOI - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.1993.tb01040.x
Subject(s) - credibility , psychology , power (physics) , social psychology , referent , perception , social power , political science , linguistics , philosophy , physics , quantum mechanics , neuroscience , politics , law
The credibility and power of a manager were manipulated in vignettes. Eighty‐four subjects read a description and responded to scales measuring perceptions of power. Results indicated that credibility had a direct effect on power ratings. Objective power, which was manipulated in the vignettes, also had a direct effect on perceived power ratings. In addition, a significant interaction of objective power by credibility indicated that objective power had a moderating effect on the relationship between credibility and perceived power. The results are particularly meaningful with respect to the credibility manipulation, given that the scales used were designed specifically to measure reward, coercive, legitimate, expert, and referent power. Suggestions for future research on credibility and its relationship to social power are offered.