Leiden University Student Repository

Nussbaum, Sebastian (2023)

The Effects of Power and Motives: A Study on the Compensatory Means of Creativity

Research master thesis | Psychology (research) (MSc)

Within negotiations individuals differ in their motivation to reach certain outcomes over others (outcome orientation). These differences may exaggerate as asymmetrical power dynamics impose disadvantageous conditions for some individuals within a group. As such restrictions may limit an individual’s ability to realise its interest in certain outcomes, individuals may evoke compensatory mechanisms to alleviate these disadvantages. Building on previous studies (Van Tol & Steinel, 2019), we propose that creative cognitions (e.g., flexibility or originality) may qualify as such potential compensatory mechanism. Consequently, we predict that the effect of individual outcome orientation in relation to an asymmetrical dispersion of power within groups may motivate compensatory engagements in creative behaviours that aim to alleviate the effects of disadvantageous situational constraints. To this end, 150 participants took part in a three-person fictious face-to-face online study....Show moreWithin negotiations individuals differ in their motivation to reach certain outcomes over others (outcome orientation). These differences may exaggerate as asymmetrical power dynamics impose disadvantageous conditions for some individuals within a group. As such restrictions may limit an individual’s ability to realise its interest in certain outcomes, individuals may evoke compensatory mechanisms to alleviate these disadvantages. Building on previous studies (Van Tol & Steinel, 2019), we propose that creative cognitions (e.g., flexibility or originality) may qualify as such potential compensatory mechanism. Consequently, we predict that the effect of individual outcome orientation in relation to an asymmetrical dispersion of power within groups may motivate compensatory engagements in creative behaviours that aim to alleviate the effects of disadvantageous situational constraints. To this end, 150 participants took part in a three-person fictious face-to-face online study. Participants were randomly assigned to either a powerful, powerless, or equal power condition, whilst further differentiations ensured individualistic and collectivistic outcome orientations. Upon reading the instructions, participants completed both a flexibility and an originality task. Results of a 2 (social motive: pro-social vs. pro-self) x 3 (relative power: powerless vs. equal power vs. powerful) ANOVA, as well as a 2 (social motive: pro-social vs. pro-self) x 3 (relative power: powerless vs. equal power vs. powerful) ANCOVA (with individual knowledge about cooking as covariate) revealed non-significant interaction effects for both flexible (ANOVA) and original (ANCOVA) compensation. Across the possible combinations of powerless and powerful, and pro-social and pro-self, participants did not differ in their creativity scores, disconfirming our hypotheses. As these null findings stand in direct contradiction to previous literature, the need for further investigation of creative cognitions in negotiations is highlighted.Show less

: creativity, flexibility, originality, compensatory mechanism, negotiation, social motive, outcome orientation, power, power asymmetry

Author

Nussbaum, Sebastian

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

Social and Economic Psychology

Supervisors

Steinel, W.

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en