time.com— Contrary to the famous "Lucifer effect" and the popular saying that "absolute power corrupts absolutely", here's an article that shows the bright side of power.
May 22, 2008View in Crawl 4
It seems like the old game of positive feedback/negative feedback. Where a person finds her place in society's hierarchy is unlikely to be driven just by this effect. What is more, what is deemed an error is a matter of definition. Corruption may not be perceived as error, especially when you are surrounded by people that do not provide corrective feedback (as wanting to be powerful is possibly an even stronger driver of our behaviour). In other words, power may lead to glory or corruption. Story of all things, when looked at them from several perspectives that go beyond a simplifying experiment.
When one does not have the ability to coerce others with the powers of the state "power" they are limited upon that small group in that environment. However when one has the ability to exercise power with the force/coercive powers of the state, that is legalized criminal behavior where the will of one is imposed on all. That is Absolute Power and it is practiced everyday by every socialized/totalitarian government on the planet daily.
Hello? This study did not attempt to define or measure corruption, in fact it had nothing to do with corruption at all. It simply attempted to measure cognitive functioning and didn't reveal any surprises. People can think a little more clearly when they feel in control. That's all. This is a good example of poor science reporting by the lay media. kkostuck.wordpress.com
fquednauMay 22, 2008
It seems like the old game of positive feedback/negative feedback. Where a person finds her place in society's hierarchy is unlikely to be driven just by this effect. What is more, what is deemed an error is a matter of definition. Corruption may not be perceived as error, especially when you are surrounded by people that do not provide corrective feedback (as wanting to be powerful is possibly an even stronger driver of our behaviour). In other words, power may lead to glory or corruption. Story of all things, when looked at them from several perspectives that go beyond a simplifying experiment.
nikamarieMay 22, 2008
Does Power Corrupt? In most real life situations it has proven yes; in some studies like this no.
mr5150May 23, 2008
When one does not have the ability to coerce others with the powers of the state "power" they are limited upon that small group in that environment. However when one has the ability to exercise power with the force/coercive powers of the state, that is legalized criminal behavior where the will of one is imposed on all. That is Absolute Power and it is practiced everyday by every socialized/totalitarian government on the planet daily.
segiterrusMay 24, 2008
it should, it has been proven numerous of times.. *cough* *cough*
kkostuckMay 24, 2008
Hello? This study did not attempt to define or measure corruption, in fact it had nothing to do with corruption at all. It simply attempted to measure cognitive functioning and didn't reveal any surprises. People can think a little more clearly when they feel in control. That's all. This is a good example of poor science reporting by the lay media. kkostuck.wordpress.com