PSI was launched for one reason—to connect researchers from different fields who share a common interest in power, status, and influence. These three topics have long captured the attention of academic scholars and continue to inspire empirical work across many disciplines (e.g., psychology, sociology, and biology). Much of this work examines the cognitive and social psychology of power and status dynamics present in diverse populations, ranging from investment bankers to Capuchin monkeys. Taken together, the insights drawn from this body of research are fundamental and its implications are far-reaching.
The website offers several tools, including a searchable database of research articles written on topics relating to power, status, and influence. Aside from this archived reference tool, we also offer a list of current works in progress—working papers that are in preparation or under review, but not yet published. To complement these research-related resources, we provide a compendium of teaching syllabi submitted by faculty from various schools. Finally, as a means of publicizing our members’ work, we provide biographical profiles that are searchable by content area and directly linked to their home pages.
In the spring of 2008, we will host an inaugural conference for PSI at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. The one-day conference features several speakers who will be presenting their past work and outlining their plans for the future. We expect that this conference will develop into a bi-annual forum in which members of PSI can gather to share the findings from their ongoing research and discuss new ideas. In the meantime, this website can provide one tool for our members to remain connected—by sharing articles, posting teaching materials, and inquiring about work in progress.