Power can increase but also decrease cheating depending on what thoughts are validated

Abstract

Prior research has shown that power is associated with cheating. In the present research, we showcase that higher power can increase but also decrease cheating, depending on the thoughts validated by the feelings of power. In two experiments, participants were first asked to generate either positive or negative thoughts about cheating. Following this manipulation of thought direction, participants were placed in either high or low power conditions. After the two inductions, cheating was measured using different paradigms – assessing cheating intentions in relationships (Study 1) and over reporting performance for monetary gain (Study 2). Relative to powerless participants, those induced to feel powerful showed more reliance on the initial thoughts induced. Consequently, the effect of the direction of the thoughts on cheating was greater for participants with high (vs. low) power. Specifically, high power increased cheating only when initial thoughts about cheating were already favorable but decreased cheating when it validated unfavorable cheating relevant thoughts.