The effect of a power-imbalanced situation on the cognitive processing of low-power group members / Dawna K. Coutant

The present study examines cognitive processes of low-power group members in an intergroup power situation. An unbalanced power relationship was established between two groups and stability and size of a power discrepancy were manipulated. Seventy-two participants learned information about, and competed in a game against, a high-power outgroup. Significant main effects were obtained in an analysis of covariance of the amount of cognitive processing for stability of a power distribution. Low-power group members in unstable conditions recalled more attributes than participants in stable conditions. Implications for the importance of a low-power group member's perceptions of whether or not an opportunity exists to change the power situation are discussed.

Psychology.