Lacking status hinders prosocial behavior among the powerful

• Yeri Cho

  University of La Verne

• Nathanael Fast

  University of Southern California

We conducted 2 studies to examine if status has varying effects on prosocial behavior for those at different levels of the power hierarchy. In Study 1 (N = 78), adults employed full-time in the USA responded to an online survey and the results showed that self-perceived power and status interacted to predict prosocial behavior. That is, lacking status led high-power, but not low-power, individuals to engage less in prosocial behavior. In Study 2 (N = 142), we orthogonally manipulated status and power and measured prosocial behavior. Once again, lacking status led to less helping behavior among high-power, but not low-power, participants. These findings show how power and status interact to influence interpersonal helping behavior. Implications for future research on social hierarchy and prosocial behavior are discussed.

1. Yeri Cho, University of La Verne

   Department of Management and Leadership, College of Business and Public Management

2. Nathanael Fast, University of Southern California

   Department of Management and Organization, Marshall School of Business

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