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Why your highness needs the people: Comparing the absolute and relative representation of power in vertical space
Lakens, Daniel Semin, Gun R. Foroni, Francesco
Lakens, Daniel
Semin, Gun R.
Foroni, Francesco
Abstract
Earlier research (Schubert, 2005) showed that power is represented in vertical space: powerful = up and powerless = down. We propose that power is not simply structured in space in absolute terms, but that relational differences in power moderate the vertical representation of the powerful above the powerless. Two studies reveal that, when power differences are present (vs. absent), the vertical representation of power increases reliably. Power-related words were positioned higher in vertical space (Experiments 1A and 1B), and translated above guessing average by the upper higher one of two Chinese ideographs (Experiments 2A and 2B) when power was manipulated within rather than between participants in an experimental task. These studies support the view that power relations constitute an important aspect of the vertical representation of power.
Keywords
power, embodiment, representations, metaphors, concepts
Date
2011
Type
Journal article
Journal
Social Psychology
Book
Volume
42
Issue
3
Page Range
205-213
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled