The effect of a power imbalanced situation on the cognitive processing of low power group members /
The present study was designed to test the predictions of the Power Environment Theory (PET), which links aspects of power relations between groups to individual group members' processing of information about outgroup members. An unbalanced power relationship was established between two groups...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
1996.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=739667421&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | The present study was designed to test the predictions of the Power Environment Theory (PET), which links aspects of power relations between groups to individual group members' processing of information about outgroup members. An unbalanced power relationship was established between two groups and the size and the stability of the power discrepancy was manipulated. Subjects were 72 liberal arts students who learned information about and competed in a game against a high power outgroup made up of (supposed) engineering students. The members of the engineering outgroup were described by attributes that were either consistent or inconsistent with the stereotype of an engineering student, and either positive, negative, or neutral. Measures of cognitive processing included attention (looking time), recall, recognition, and elaboration. Significant main effects were obtained in an ANCOVA of the amount of cognitive processing for stability of a power distribution. Low power group members in unstable conditions recalled more attributes than subjects in stable conditions, E(1,60)=13.88, .P<.001. Predictions for size of power discrepancy were not supported. Implications for the importance of a low power group member's perception of whether or not an opportunity exists to change the power situation are discussed. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Psychology". |
| Physical Description: | x, 94 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilms Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references: pages 73-80. |