Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a person exercising legitimate power in a social psychology context?

• A. A police officer directing traffic at an intersection.
• B. A friend persuading another to try a new restaurant.
• C. A student convincing classmates to skip a lecture.
• D. A celebrity endorsing a new product on social media.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of legitimate power in social psychology. Legitimate power is a form of social influence that comes from a person's formal position or role within a social structure, which grants them the authority to make demands and expect compliance.
2. Step 2: Identify the key characteristic of legitimate power: it is recognized and accepted by others as rightful authority, often linked to roles like police officers, teachers, or managers.
3. Step 3: Analyze each scenario to see if the person’s influence comes from an official or formal position of authority. For example, a police officer directing traffic has legal authority granted by their role.
4. Step 4: Compare the other options: a friend persuading another, a student convincing classmates, and a celebrity endorsing a product all involve influence but not necessarily legitimate power, as they lack formal authority.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the scenario illustrating legitimate power is the one where the person’s influence is based on their recognized role and authority, which is the police officer directing traffic.