Power breeds suspicion: In cases of wrongdoing, people point to leaders more quickly

People with authority are more quickly blamed when wrongdoing occurs, according to a series of studies conducted by researchers at the University of Amsterdam. The researchers investigated whether power grants an advantage when the perpetrator is unknown, examining two opposing hypotheses: power confers respect and admiration while protecting individuals, or power increases the likelihood that someone will be seen as the culprit.

In one experiment, participants played a dice game and were told the roles of boss, assistant, or bookkeeper. The "boss" was most often identified as the cheater, and was also trusted less in a subsequent game. In another experiment, participants read about a finance department fraud case involving 15 employees. When presented with information about a powerful finance director, they were more likely to view them as the most likely fraudster compared to an ordinary accountant.

Across 97,628 Reddit posts, people in higher power positions were about twice as often labeled as at fault in various conflicts and transgressions. The researchers concluded that powerful individuals are singled out for blame in instances of wrongdoing, not merely due to visibility. This psychological bias can lead to distortions in how blame is attributed, potentially impacting fair treatment in legal and public contexts.