Power Corrupts

Griff · 08-10-2013, 08:53 AM

Its official.

Power dynamics are a ubiquitous feature of human social life, yet little is known about how power is implemented in the brain. Motor resonance is the activation of similar brain networks when acting and
when watching someone else act, and is thought to be implemented, in part, by the human mirror system. We investigated the effects of power on motor resonance during an action observation task. Separate groups of participants underwent a high-, neutral, or low-power induction priming procedure, prior to observing the actions of another person. During observation, motor resonance was determined with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) via measures of motor cortical output. High-power participants
demonstrated lower levels of resonance than low-power participants, suggesting reduced mirroring of other people in those with power. These differences suggest that decreased motor resonance to others’ actions might be one of the neural mechanisms underlying power-induced asymmetries in processing our
social interaction partners.

So if you're wondering what happens to a Bush or an Obama, my interpretation is that it isn't that they have more information about threats to 'Merica. It is that they no longer have empathy for/with lesser mortals.

Flint · 08-10-2013, 09:25 AM

So, by this measurement, sociopaths have the highest 'power' levels?

xoxoxoBruce · 08-10-2013, 06:46 PM

Yeah, NPR talked about it.

JBKlyde · 08-10-2013, 07:15 PM

I totally see that...

08-10-2013, 08:53 AM	#1
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	Power Corrupts Its official. Power dynamics are a ubiquitous feature of human social life, yet little is known about how power is implemented in the brain. Motor resonance is the activation of similar brain networks when acting and when watching someone else act, and is thought to be implemented, in part, by the human mirror system. We investigated the effects of power on motor resonance during an action observation task. Separate groups of participants underwent a high-, neutral, or low-power induction priming procedure, prior to observing the actions of another person. During observation, motor resonance was determined with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) via measures of motor cortical output. High-power participants demonstrated lower levels of resonance than low-power participants, suggesting reduced mirroring of other people in those with power. These differences suggest that decreased motor resonance to others’ actions might be one of the neural mechanisms underlying power-induced asymmetries in processing our social interaction partners. So if you're wondering what happens to a Bush or an Obama, my interpretation is that it isn't that they have more information about threats to 'Merica. It is that they no longer have empathy for/with lesser mortals. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

08-10-2013, 09:25 AM	#2
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	So, by this measurement, sociopaths have the highest 'power' levels? __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

08-10-2013, 06:46 PM	#3
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Yeah, NPR talked about it. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

08-10-2013, 07:15 PM	#4
JBKlyde Banned Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Encrypted Into an AmpitheaterWall Posts: 1,722	I totally see that...

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)