The threat of powerlessness: The consequences for affect and (social) cognition
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Date
2024-03
Publication Type
Journal Article
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yes
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Abstract
Throughout history, powerlessness has been associated with phenomena such as heightened conspiracy beliefs and perceived ingroup homogeneity and commitment, as well as increased conviction about one's own opinions and worldview. The goals of the present research were to examine whether such links are causal and to gain an understanding of the underlying mechanism. We hypothesized that the experience of powerlessness activates the behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and that the aforementioned phenomena emerge as threat defenses aimed at lowering BIS activation. To test these hypotheses, one correlational and three experimental studies were conducted. Meta-analytic results across these four studies indicate an indirect but not a direct link between powerlessness and the increased use of threat defenses via heightened BIS activation. These findings provide new insights into the potential negative social, affective, and cognitive consequences of feeling powerless. They can furthermore be used to design interventions that aim to prevent such consequences.
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published
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Journal / series
Volume
111
Pages / Article No.
104576
Publisher
Elsevier
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Edition / version
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Software
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Date collected
Date created
Subject
Powerlessness; Behavioral inhibition; Psychological threats; Threat defenses; Conspiracy beliefs; Anxiety
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)