When something goes wrong and it is not clear who is at fault, people tend to point at those in power. That is the central finding of a series of studies conducted by researchers at the University of Amsterdam.
In one study, the team analyzed nearly 100,000 everyday conflicts. Across that large dataset and in controlled experiments, the same pattern emerged: individuals with power were identified as the culprit more quickly than others.
The researchers say the results indicate that power breeds suspicion. Even without evidence of wrongdoing, leaders and authority figures may be seen as more responsible simply because of their position.