DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/NKPZ-J334
Defense Date
2010
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Natalie Shook
Abstract
The relations between power, exploratory behavior, and willingness to take risks were investigated. It was hypothesized that high power would be associated with increases in exploratory behavior, and that this relationship would be mediated by participants’ willingness to take risks. In Study One, one-hundred forty-one undergraduates (66% female) completed questionnaires to assess trait power and willingness to take risk, as well as a computer-based research paradigm, BeanFest, to assess exploration. Willingness to take risks correlated positively with exploration. However, the predicted relations involving power were not observed. In Study Two, power was experimentally manipulated. One-hundred thirty-three undergraduates (61% female) were randomly assigned to a high-power or low-power condition before completing measures of exploration and willingness to take risk. Results indicated no significant differences between the power conditions in exploration or risk propensity. Suggestions for directions that future research should take in order to test the proposed relations are discussed.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
May 2010