Defining & Approaching Power

 Defining & Approaching Power

            Power may be defined as possessing the controlling, strongest, or most influential force, interests, or qualities.  The individual or organization with the greater authority, houses the greater power.  In many instances, powerful entities are commanding and authoritative.  The disputant holding the most power may utilize, possibly abuse, their strength to gain an even greater advantage over their opposition or acquire their desires.  “Power is the currency of conflict.  If we do not understand the nature of power and how power affects conflict, we cannot understand conflict itself” (Mayer, 2000, p. 50).

            When evaluating how power is applied, one must consider the following; the normative, utilitarian, and coercive approaches.  By utilizing these methods, an individual may try to influence another’s behavior (Mayer, 2000).  First, the normative approach is exemplified when one appeals to their opposition’s values and beliefs.  “By framing their persuasive efforts in terms of values and by making use of normative symbols, disputants attempt to get others to comply with their wishes by convincing them that it is the right thing to do” (Mayer, 2000, p. 62).  Circumstances in which the utilization of the normative approach to power would be most effective include:

1)  Convincing an individual to attend church.

2)  Encouraging students not to fight or bring weapons to school.

3)  Coaching an athlete who may be abusing drug enhancers.

            Second, the utilitarian approach “is to appeal to people’s self-interests or to indicate that they will obtain certain tangible benefits if they do what one wishes” (Mayer, 2000, p. 62).  Circumstances in which the utilization of the utilitarian approach to power would be most effective include:

1)  An agent trying to convince their client to accept a campaign or promotion.

2)  An employer requiring more work or responsibility from their employees.

3)  A wife attempting to convince her husband to remodel the kitchen.

            Lastly, the coercive approach “is to try to force people to agree to something by threatening significant sanctions or by manipulating the external environment to take away their freedom of choice” (Mayer, 2000, p. 62).   Circumstances in which the utilization of the coercive approach to power would be most effective include:

1)  The prosecution encouraging the defendant to take a plea.

2)  An older sibling persuading their younger sister not to “tell” on them.

3)  A man desiring to have his fiancé sign a pre-nup.

References:

Mayer, B. (2000). The dynamics of conflict resolution: A practitioner’s guide.
            San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.