Control, Interdependence and Power: Understanding Social Cognition in Its Social Context

1996/01/01 by Susan T. Fiske, Eric Dépret, Éric Dépret · 6 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Cultural Differences and Values #Emotions and Moral Behavior #Social and Intergroup Psychology

paper · doi:10.1080/14792779443000094

openalex publication_date 1996/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

A theory of control in interdependence and power relations is supported by a program of laboratory research. Control needs are basic and predict information-seeking in social relationships. Those without social power typically seek the most diagnostic information, making individuation more likely. Those who do have social power seek less diagnostic information about others and are vulnerable to stereotyping them. Moreover, feelings of control not only reflect individual power positions but also group power positions. Remaining challenges include the impact of outcome expectations on information-seeking and continuing to remedy the power lacuna in social psychology.

Citations

• Motivation reconsidered: The concept of competence.
• The self and social behavior in differing cultural contexts.
• The case for motivated reasoning.
• Advances In Experimental Social Psychology

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