Social Influence: The Psychology of Power and Its Mechanisms

This article examines the psychological mechanisms of social influence and power, drawing on the foundational theories of J.B. Rotter (locus of control) and Leon Festinger (cognitive dissonance). It explores how personality construction and internalized expectations shape our susceptibility to manipulation. It discusses key dimensions, such as hope, learned helplessness, and cognitive complexity, which determine responses to threats and promises. It also presents practical power tactics, emphasizing the role of source credibility and message relevance. The goal is to understand how to build resistance to influence while maintaining autonomy and a sense of agency in the face of authoritarian narratives, drawing on the thought of Hannah Arendt and Václav Havel.