Power corrupts and being sure of felt power corrupts even more: Implications for immoral decisions and cheating

Abstract

Feeling powerful has been generally associated with cheating. We argue that being sure of felt power strengthens the ability of perceived power to influence cheating and guide immoral decisions. In three different studies, we predicted and found that confidence (measured or manipulated) moderated the impact of felt power (measured or manipulated) on making immoral decisions during the Covid‐19 pandemic and actual cheating behaviour. Results indicated that power predicted cheating especially when participants were sure of their felt power. For those with low confidence, felt power did not affect cheating. Among other implications, these studies specify when and for whom the undesired effects of felt power can emerge and how to undermine them.