Inhibited Power Motivation is Associated with the Facial Width-to-Height Ratio in Females

摘要

AbstractThe inhibited power motive is a disposition for obtaining a functional influence on others (Schultheiss 2008) and characterized by a high implicit need for Power (n Power) and high activity inhibition (AI; McClellandJournal of Abnormal Psychology, 88(2), 182–190, 1979). Organizational effects of gonadal steroid hormones on the brain during prenatal development affect the emerging n Power (Schultheiss and ZimniAdaptive Human Behavior and Physiology, 1(4), 387–407, 2015) but it is unknown whether there are similar associations during puberty, a second phase of endocrine organization (Schulz et al.Hormones and Behavior, 55(5), 597–604, 2009). In two studies (combined for analyses; totalN?=?213, after exclusions), we investigated this relationship using the facial width-to-height ratio (fWHR; Weston et al.PloS One, 2(8), e710, 2007), assessed via anthropometry, as a marker of organizational hormone effects during puberty in a cross-sectional, correlational design. N Power and AI were measured via Picture Story Exercise (PSE; McClelland et al.Psychological Review, 96, 690–702, 1989). Controlling for BMI and age in a multiple regression analysis predicting fWHR, we found a significant n Power x AI-effect,B?=?0.15,SE?=?0.07,t(207)?=?2.03,p?=?.04, ?R2?=?.02. N Power and fWHR approached a marginally significant positive association, when AI was high (+1SD;B?=?0.16,SE?=?0.10,t(207)?=?1.64,p?=?.10) and showed a negative but insignificant association, when AI was low (?1SD;B?=??0.14,SE?=?0.10,t(207)?=??1.40,p?=?.16). After adding gender to the model on an exploratory basis, we found a significant n Power x AI x Gender-effect (B?=?0.34,SE?=?0.17,t(203)?=?2.00,p?=?.05, ?R2?=?.02), predominantly driven by a positive effect of the inhibited power motive in females,B?=?0.28,SE?=?0.13,t(55)?=?2.24,p?=?.03, ?R2?=?.08. Compared with past research, this finding was unexpected since fWHR is commonly linked to various criteria in males. Implications for the understanding of the development of n Power are discussed, respecting the limitations of our design.]]>