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When does power trigger approach motivation? Threats and the role of perceived control in the power domain
Author(s) -
Deng Mianlin,
Zheng Mufan,
Guinote Ana
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
social and personality psychology compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.699
H-Index - 53
ISSN - 1751-9004
DOI - 10.1111/spc3.12390
Subject(s) - power (physics) , psychology , coercion (linguistics) , perception , control (management) , social psychology , power domains , anxiety , association (psychology) , domain (mathematical analysis) , perceived control , computer science , neuroscience , mathematical analysis , philosophy , linguistics , physics , mathematics , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , psychiatry , psychotherapist
It is widely believed that power activates the behavioral approach system (Guinote, [Guinote, A., 2017]; Keltner, Gruenfeld, & Anderson, [Keltner, D., 2003]); however, findings are inconsistent. Here we discuss evidence suggesting that perceived threats to control in the power domain are key determinants of the association between power and approach motivation. We propose that objective or subjective threats to the exercise of power trigger behavioral inhibition, conflicts between approach and behavioral inhibition, and reactive, negatively valenced approach motivation. Furthermore, threatened power holders reassert power—in particular by using coercion—as defense against threat. We discuss literature in support of these hypotheses involving external threats (e.g., instability, illegitimacy, and uncertainty) and subjective states (anxiety, motivation to maintain power, perceived incompetence, submissiveness, and perceptions of low power) that trigger the perception of lack of control in the power domain and undermine the positive tone of power holders' approach motivation.