Who resorts to sarcasm at work : A study on power, gender and personality

Abstract

The current study investigates if power enhances the inclination to use sarcastic irony in a hypothetical work setting. In addition to gender, trait dominance is included as a potential moderator. Results suggest that high situational power increased inclination to use sarcastic irony, and that males were more inclined to use sarcastic irony compared to females. Results do not suggest that trait dominance had an effect on the inclination to use irony.