Cookies and Power
Photo by
Vyshnavi Bisani@vyshnavibisani
A Stanford study mentioned in a book I was reading investigated the effects of power over subordinates.
Three students were asked to discuss on hotly debated topics like abortion and divorce. One of the students is chosen randomly to be in position of power. That student was asked to evaluate the opinions of the other two.
Later they were given a plate of 5 cookies.
The student who was given a slight power advantage was more likely to take two cookies, chew with their mouths open and leave crumbs on the table.
This study may be silly but it demonstrates a primal human tendency to be assholes when given a chance without us even realizing it.
Power does indeed corrupt.