The effort investment theory of power
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Author / Producer
Date
2022-03
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
The powerful are often more successful in pursuing their goals, as shown in many studies. Does this mean that the powerful try harder? Current theories on power do not provide a clear answer to this question. Based on recent findings in the power literature and integrating theories from motivation psychology and neuroscience, the present paper presents the effort investment theory of power. The effort investment theory proposes that power determines the investment of effort following a resource conservation principle; that is, power affects people's evaluation of a goal in terms of its importance and feasibility, and based on their evaluation, they mobilize effort. Importantly, the theory also considers a time perspective. It highlights the role of experiences during the process of pursuing a goal (i.e., facing signals of success and failure) as well as previous experiences (i.e., performing a different task/goal before) in the power effect on effort investment, and argues that such experiences affect individuals' judgments of importance and feasibility. Finally, the theory discusses possible consequences of the power effect on effort investment for performance and efficiency. The relevance of these propositions for theory and practice are discussed, as well as ideas for future research.
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Publication status
published
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Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
52 (3)
Pages / Article No.
145 - 157
Publisher
Wiley
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Organisational unit
09562 - Schmid, Petra (ehemalig) / Schmid, Petra (former)
Notes
Funding
173046 - Power Facilitates Goal-Directed Action, But How? A Multi-Method Investigation of the Role of Motivation and Investment of Resources (SNF)