Embodiment of power on Facebook

• Main Author: Lee, Yee Ning
• Other Authors: Qiu Lin
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Psychology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/59872
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Bodily states affect individuals’ attitudes, perceptions and behaviours. This effect can also be referred to as embodiment. Numerous research have examined this phenomenon through the use of metaphors. In an attempt to extend Schubert (2005)’s research, the current paper aims to identify associations between the effects of embodiment and power. I argue that by embodying the metaphor of power (i.e., “power in your hands”), there will be an increased sense of power among individuals. This leads to decreased perspective taking and empathy. To generalise the study to our daily lives, the current study integrates Facebook use, where the embodiment of the power metaphor may influence our perceptions of others on Facebook. The current study recruited 60 participants in order to examine this association. Participants were randomly grouped into experimental condition (i.e., holding on a mobile phone) or control condition (i.e., not holding the mobile phone). Results revealed that the effects of the embodiment of power is statistically insignificant. Reasons for the insignificant results and limitations of the current study are discussed.