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When the boss feels inadequate: power, incompetence, and aggression
Nathanael J Fast1, Serena Chen
1Department of Management and Organization, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA. nathanaf@usc.edu
Psychological Science
|October 13, 2009
Summary
Power holders may become aggressive when feeling incompetent, threatening their ego. Boosting self-worth can reduce this aggression, suggesting ego defense drives the behavior.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Organizational Behavior
Background:
- Power dynamics in social interactions are complex.
- Aggression among leaders can stem from various factors.
- The role of ego and competence in power-related aggression requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between power, perceived incompetence, and aggression.
- To determine if ego threat mediates the relationship between power and aggression.
- To explore interventions for mitigating aggression in powerful individuals.
Main Methods:
- Four studies were conducted, employing diverse methods to measure or manipulate power.
- Power was assessed in workplace settings and experimentally induced via role recall and laboratory assignments.
- Aggression and self-perceived competence were measured, with ego threat explored through self-worth manipulation.
Main Results:
- Individuals with power exhibited increased aggression when they perceived themselves as incompetent in their domain of power.
- This association between power and aggression was consistently observed across different power contexts.
- Aggression was significantly reduced when participants' self-worth was bolstered, indicating ego defensiveness as a key driver.
Conclusions:
- Power combined with a lack of self-perceived competence predicts aggressive behavior.
- Ego threat and defensiveness are central mechanisms underlying aggression in powerful individuals.
- Findings have implications for understanding and managing leadership behavior, competence development, and aggression in organizational settings.
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