Have you noticed that once people have power, they will become very self-righteous, become very stubborn, and cannot listen to other people's opinions? Why is this so? Seeing a sentence, it explains this phenomenon very exquisitely: people can't listen to other people's opinions in the first place, but after they have power, they don't bother to pretend anymore.
Indeed, this phenomenon is known in psychology as the power corruption effect. When people gain power, their behavior and way of thinking tend to change. Here are some possible explanations:
1. Self-confirmation bias: Power may exacerbate an individual's self-confirmation bias, i.e., they are more inclined to seek out and accept information that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs and opinions.
2. Reduced accountability: Powerful people may feel that their status and power lessen their responsibility to follow the rules and consider the opinions of others.
3. Increased social support: The acquisition of power is often accompanied by praise and support from those around them, which may further strengthen their self-confidence and stubbornness.
4. Centralization of decision-making: Powerful people have more decision-making power in the organization, and they may seek the opinions of subordinates or colleagues less because they believe their judgment is correct.
5. Cognitive dissonance: When power makes an individual's behavior inconsistent with their values, they may experience cognitive dissonance, and in order to reduce discomfort, they may be more assertive about their opinions.
6. Increased psychological distance: Powerful people may feel that there is a psychological distance between themselves and ordinary people that makes it difficult for them to understand or empathize with the views of others.
7. Egocentrism: Power may make individuals more self-centered, and they are more focused on their own needs and goals than on the interests of others.
These explanations are not isolated, they may interact with each other, working together on the behavior and mental processes of the individual. It is important to note that not all people in power exhibit these characteristics, and individual differences and situational factors can also influence the influence of power on behavior.