High power = Motivation? Low power = Situation? The impact of power, power stability and power motivation on risk-taking

► We study risk-taking behaviour of persons with high vs. low power. ► The role of situation (power role stability) and power motivation were analyzed. ► Powerful persons' risk-taking behaviour was strongly influenced by power motivation. ► Powerless persons were only influenced by situation, not by their power motivation. ► Power motivation and risk-taking were uncorrelated among powerless persons.