title: Power as a structural phenomenon.
abstract: In an effort to inform empowerment theory and research, this paper provides a structural conception of power. First, we examine the essential features present in three dominant conceptions of power in community psychology: social power, psychopolitical power, and relational power. Next, commonalities in the key features of power identified by these conceptions are explored and pared down to yield a more parsimonious conception of power that is grounded only in the structural pattern of relationships through which resources are exchanged. Drawing on social exchange theory, we offer a method for measuring this streamlined, structural conception of power that allows for its more precise examination. Finally, we discuss the implications of a structural conception and measurement of power for targeting and facilitating empowering processes and evaluating empowered outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, 127A Psychology Building, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. jneal@msu.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer Watling
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Neal
authors.forename: Zachary P
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Neal
mesh_terms: D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011057:Politics; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011593:Psychology, Social; D012919:Social Behavior; D012922:Social Change