The Use and Abuse of Power

From relationships between individuals to conflicts within organizations and between nations, power differences have been and continue to be part of virtually every human interaction. Their range of effects spans extreme abuse to selfless benevolence. In this volume on the psychological and interpersonal bases of power abuse, the work of prominent researchers is brought together to provide a panoramic understanding of this complex phenomenon. Focusing on power as a cause of social ills, and remedies to prevent corruption and abuse, The Use and Abuse of Power is unique in bringing together different levels of analysis from the intrapsychic to the interpersonal, the group and organization level, and governmental and intergovernmental level. By gaining a broad scope of social power as seen through a variety of research perspectives, it may be possible to realize the extent of its effects and unearth fundamental elements of power that hold true across seemingly disparate areas of research. The volume will be important reading for researchers and students in psychology, management, sociology and other social sciences, as well as for business and political leaders.

Table of Contents:
Introduction, J. Bargh and A. Lee-Chai I. PowerWithin the Mind Unconscious Sources of Power Abuse and Corruption-J. Bargh The Many Faces of Power: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-D. Bugental From Moses to Marcos: Individual Differences in the Use and Abuse of Power-A. Lee-Chai, S. Chen, and T. Chartrand Motivations to Help Others: An Aspect of Power Motivation (or Intimacy Motivation)? I. Frieze, L. Schmidt, and B. Boneva. II. Power BetweenIndividuals The Effect of Power on Stereotyping-S. T. Fiske Using Power - Newton's Second Law-D. Kipnis Getting What They Came For: How the Dynamics of Power Influence Agenda Setting and Outcomes in Social Interactions-M. Snyder and M. Kiviniemi III. Powerand Groups Confucianism, "Jen," and the Benevolent Use of Power: The Interdependent Self as a "Psychological Contract" that Prevents the Exploitation of Others-W. Gardner and E. Seeley Power Interaction Model: Theory, Methodology, and Practice-M. Koslowsky and J. Schwarzwald Influence Tactics in Organizations from a Social Expectancy Perspective-B. Barry Social Identity, Leadership, and Power-M. A. Hogg and S. Reid IV. Power in Society Power/Interaction and Interpersonal Influence: Multimethod Analyses, B. Raven The Two Faces of Adam and Eve: Maternalism and Paternalism in Communal Relationships, F. Pratto and A. Walker Cloaking Power: Legitimizing Myths and the Psychology of the Advantaged, E. Chen and T. Tyler. Fighting Corruption, P. Eigen.

About the Author :
Annette Y. Lee-Chai, John Bargh

Review :
'An interesting analysis of power and corruption. The authors outline remarkably comprehensively the progression from use to the abuse of power. While informing people of the dangers of corruption, the book will also help to reinforce the struggle against it.' - Dr. Peter Eigen, Chairman, Transparency International