ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses with the theoretical perspectives and evidence concerning individual power, then moves to group power, and finishes with societal power dynamics. Some interesting and socially significant mechanisms for overriding the default category-based processes are motivations occasioned by social interdependence, at the individual, group, and societal levels. Resource control determines symmetrical power relations. The theory of power-as-control posited that powerful people are vulnerable to stereotyping their subordinates. Power as Self-Entitlement, Stereotyping by Design. Power is not simply carelessness. An additional line of theory posits that powerholders stereotype to uphold their positions. Power affects bias at various levels of analysis. Outcome dependency on an aggregate of individuals encourages individuation, but outcome dependency on a homogeneous outgroup encourages stereotyping and ingroup favoritism. Powerful groups that lack outcome dependency and are entitled to control the resources of others may be especially pernicious sources of bias. Power dynamics cut across bias in individuals, groups, and societies.
