Advice Giving: A Subtle Pathway to Power

• Published in: Personality & social psychology bulletin Vol. 44; no. 5; pp. 746 - 761
• Main Authors: Schaerer, Michael, Tost, Leigh P., Huang, Li, Gino, Francesca, Larrick, Rick
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.05.2018; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Advisors; Negotiation; Power; Power structure; Simulation; Social psychology; social power; political motivation; advice giving; social influence
• ISSN: 0146-1672; 1552-7433
• DOI: 10.1177/0146167217746341

We propose that interpersonal behaviors can activate feelings of power, and we examine this idea in the context of advice giving. Specifically, we show (a) that advice giving is an interpersonal behavior that enhances individuals’ sense of power and (b) that those who seek power are motivated to engage in advice giving. Four studies, including two experiments (N = 290, N = 188), an organization-based field study (N = 94), and a negotiation simulation (N = 124), demonstrate that giving advice enhances the adviser’s sense of power because it gives the adviser perceived influence over others’ actions. Two of our studies further demonstrate that people with a high tendency to seek power are more likely to give advice than those with a low tendency. This research establishes advice giving as a subtle route to a sense of power, shows that the desire to feel powerful motivates advice giving, and highlights the dynamic interplay between power and advice.