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How vertical elevation affects self-other integration as measured by the joint Simon effect
Anouk Van der Weiden1, Dirkje Pril2, Kerstin Dittrich3
1Leiden University, Netherlands.
Acta Psychologica
|September 17, 2021
Summary
High positions reduce how closely people connect with others, as shown by a new objective measure. This study used seating elevation to explore power
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Previous research links power to reduced self-other integration and increased psychological distance.
- Existing evidence relies solely on subjective self-report measures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To objectively measure the effect of power on self-other integration using a behavioral task.
- To investigate the role of seating elevation as a manipulation of power.
Main Methods:
- Employed a vertical joint Simon task to quantify self-other integration via the joint Simon effect.
- Manipulated seating position to create high-power (elevated) and low-power (lower) conditions.
- Conducted experiments reanalyzing existing data and a high-powered replication.
Main Results:
- An elevated seating position significantly decreased the joint Simon effect, indicating reduced self-other integration.
- This effect was consistent across reanalyses and a replication experiment.
- Subjective feelings of power did not mediate or moderate the observed effect of seating position.
Conclusions:
- Seating elevation, a proxy for power, objectively reduces self-other integration.
- The mechanism driving this effect may not be solely subjective feelings of power.
- Further research is needed to explore alternative explanations for the impact of seating elevation.
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