The threat of powerlessness: The consequences for affect and (social) cognition
Open access
Date
2024-03Type
- Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
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. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000646112Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Journal of Experimental Social PsychologyVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
ElsevierSubject
Powerlessness; Behavioral inhibition; Psychological threats; Threat defenses; Conspiracy beliefs; AnxietyOrganisational unit
09562 - Schmid, Petra / Schmid, Petra
Funding
173046 - Power Facilitates Goal-Directed Action, But How? A Multi-Method Investigation of the Role of Motivation and Investment of Resources (SNF)
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ETH Bibliography
yes
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