Power, defensive denigration, and the assuaging effect of gratitude expression

This article examines the interactive effects of power, competency threats, and gratitude expression on the tendency to denigrate others. The results of two experiments indicate that (1) power holders whose competence has been threatened are more likely than others to denigrate interaction partners, and (2) receiving gratitude expression has self-affirming effects for insecure power holders. Experiment 1 demonstrated that high-power, but not low-power, individuals who received threatening feedback about their competence denigrated the competence of their partners. Importantly, this tendency was ameliorated when subordinates expressed gratitude for previous help provided from the power holder. Experiment 2 demonstrated that the ameliorating effect of gratitude expression on threatened power holders' tendency to denigrate subordinates is mediated by increased perceptions of social worth. Implications for research on power, gratitude expression, and the self are discussed.

► When made to feel incompetent, high-power participants denigrated their partners.
► Gratitude expression by the partner ameliorated this tendency to denigrate.
► Gratitude expression increased social worth feelings for threatened power holders.
► Social worth mediated the ameliorating effect of gratitude expression.