Power relationships are found in our everyday lives. Some are on a small scale, like the relationship between a college professor and a student. Others are on such a large scale that we may not even realize they exist. There are many disciplines of social science that explain the main concepts of power, the nature of power, and the uses of power in society. Economics is one of these social science disciplines, which is defined by Thomas Dye as "the study of the production and distribution of scare goods and services- (Dye 127). The disciplines intermingle; however, each has its distinct way of characterizing and measuring power. For example, economics is different than psychology. .
There are several definitions of power. One is the "possession of controlling influence."" This definition would apply more to economics, where the controlling influence is money. Whoever has money automatically has more influence and control of whoever does not have comparable resources. Another definition of power is "possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done- ("Dictionary-). This one would apply more to psychology. Both definitions are correct; however, they each explain something totally different.
Psychology is primarily interested in how a person acts out or responds to authority. The personality of the individual is examined. Psychologists are interested in how people develop into leaders or exhibit power- is it learned through environment and conditioning, or is a person born with the "genes- to influence others? This is an example of questions that psychologists try to answer. Theories like the authoritarian personality theory attempt to explain why some individuals use power to achieve motives. This particular one explains how "authoritarians- fit a mold in how they display similar dominant and submissive attitudes, depending on what situation they are in (Dye 102).
