Healthy Skepticism Library item: 5990

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Publication type: Journal Article

Platow MJ, van Knippenberg D, Haslam SA, van Knippenberg B, Spears R.
A special gift we bestow on you for being representative of us: Considering leader charisma from a self-categorization perspective.
Br J Soc Psychol 2006 Jun 01; 45:(Pt):
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bpsoc/bjsp/2006/00000045/00000002/art00005?token=005c1ddd4cbb9106b86ab726e2d2954496f642f466f256720297d7625737b517b6c24385176384bc08e0d90edf5f

Abstract:

Two experiments tested hypotheses, derived from social identity and self-categorization theories, regarding the attribution of charisma to leaders. In Experiment 1 (N=203), in-group prototypical leaders were attributed greater levels of charisma and were perceived to be more persuasive than in-group non-prototypical leaders. In Experiment 2 (N=220), leaders described with in-group stereotypical characteristics were attributed relatively high levels of charisma regardless of their group-oriented versus exchange rhetoric. Leaders described with out-group stereotypical characteristics, however, had to employ group-oriented rhetoric to be attributed relatively high levels of charisma. We conclude that leadership emerges from being representative of ‘us’; charisma may, indeed, be a special gift, but it is one bestowed on group members by group members for being representative of, rather than distinct from, the group itself

Keywords:
Adolescent Adult Female Humans Leadership* Male Middle Aged Persuasive Communication Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Self Concept* Social Identification* Stereotyping