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Beyond dependence: An identity approach to social power and domination

Institute of Psychology at the Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel (Germany); simon{at}psychologie.uni-kiel.de

Penelope Oakes

The Australian National University in Canberra, Australia; Penelope.Oakes{at}anu.edu.au

This article outlines a new approach to the social psychology of power. Specifically, it challenges the currently influential conflictoriented dependence analysis, in which power operates as an almost exclusively repressive force. Drawing on relevant work from other social science disciplines, the article presents an identity model of power, in which both consensus and conflict play important roles. The model theorizes power as a productive as well as repressive force, and differentiates between social power toachieve desired outcomes and social power overothers (domination). The implications of the model for two classic issues in the power literature are considered: the relationship between power and status, and challenges to power (resistance and social change). The model's empirical potential is also discussed.

Key Words: dependence • identity • power • resistance • status

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