THE EFFECT OF CREDIBILITY ON PERCEIVED POWER

The credibility and power of a manager were manipulated in vignettes. Eighty-four subjects read a description and responded to scales measur ing perceptions of power. Results indicated that credibility had a dir ect effect on power ratings. Objective power, which was manipulated in the vignettes, also had a direct effect on perceived power ratings. I n addition, a significant interaction of objective power by credibilit y indicated that objective power had a moderating effect on the relati onship between credibility and perceived power. The results are partic ularly meaningful with respect to the credibility manipulation, given that the scales used were designed specifically to measure reward, coe rcive, legitimate, expert, and referent power. Suggestions for future research on credibility and its relationship to social power are offer ed.