The effect of power motive on cooperation: The moderating role of eye cues and self‐construal

Abstract This study examined the effects of power motive on cooperation and the moderating roles of eye cues (environmental factors) and self‐construal (personal factors) from the perspective of individual–environment interactions. The results revealed that (1) individuals with a high‐power motive exhibited greater levels of cooperation than did those with a low‐power motive; (2) eye cues enhanced the positive effect of the power motive on cooperation, with individuals with a high‐power motive showing significantly greater cooperation under eye cues than did their low‐power motive counterparts; and (3) self‐construal moderated the effects of eye cues and power on cooperation, with a significant difference in cooperation levels between high‐ and low‐power motive individuals under eye cues when the interdependent self was activated. Conversely, when independent self‐construal was activated, there was no significant difference in cooperation between individuals with high‐ and low‐power motive under eye cues. The results suggest that power motive positively influences cooperation, eye cues tend to amplify this effect, and independent self‐construal diminishes the impact of eye cues.