29 Jan 10

Do What I Say; Not as I Do

by Peter Sanchez, Trainee Planner/Buyer

How often have you chided someone for their behaviour, only for you to commit the same dastardly act yourself? Thought so. It may come as comfort to you then, that The Economist (21st Jan) presents research by Dr Joris Lammers at Tilburg University and Dr Adam Galinsky at Northwestern University, on this very behaviour.
 
Their work explored the psychological effects of power towards behaviour, particularly immoral deeds. Most strikingly, those research participants who were primed to believe they were in a position of power, considered dishonest or corrupt acts as justified. When asked however, their judgement on fellow devils of deceit, participants held others to a higher standard; judging the same actions of others as reprehensible.

"They argue, therefore, that people with power that they think is justified break rules not only because they can get away with it, but also because they feel at some intuitive level that they are entitled to take what they want… If Dr Lammers and Dr Galinsky are right, the sense which some powerful people seem to have that different rules apply to them is not just a convenient smoke screen. They genuinely believe it."
(The Economist, 21st January 2010)

The research also suggested that those who feel in a position of legitimate low-power, judged themselves more harshly than others of similar vice. Remarkably, those of illegitimate high-power displayed even greater self-judgement, and believed others actions less despicable than their own.

So, the next time your CEO raids the bonus pot without sharing, remember, you would probably do the same…
http://www.economist.com/sciencetechnology/displayStory.cfm?story_id=15328544