The effort investment theory of power. Issue 3 (20th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schmid, Petra C.
• Other Names: Sassenberg Kai guestEditor.; Scholl Annika guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied social psychology. Volume 52:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 145
• Page End: 157
• Publication Date: 2021-08-20
• Subjects: Social psychology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Psychology, Social -- Periodicals; 302
• DOI: 10.1111/jasp.12823
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9029

Abstract

Abstract: The powerful are often more successful in pursuing their goals, as shown in many studies. Does this mean that the powerful try harder? Current theories on power do not provide a clear answer to this question. Based on recent findings in the power literature and integrating theories from motivation psychology and neuroscience, the present paper presents the effort investment theory of power. The effort investment theory proposes that power determines the investment of effort following a resource conservation principle; that is, power affects people's evaluation of a goal in terms of its importance and feasibility, and based on their evaluation, they mobilize effort. Importantly, the theory also considers a time perspective. It highlights the role of experiences during the process of pursuing a goal (i.e., facing signals of success and failure) as well as previous experiences (i.e., performing a different task/goal before) in the power effect on effort investment, and argues that such experiences affect individuals' judgments of importance and feasibility. Finally, the theory discusses possible consequences of the power effect on effort investment for performance and efficiency. The relevance of these propositions for theory and practice are discussed, as well as ideas for future research.