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... > social science subjects > psychology > social psychology > group dynamics > group influence > power (sociology) > types of power > invisible hand

Preferred term

invisible hand  

Definition

  • The invisible hand is a phrase, originally used as a metaphor by Adam Smith, that summarizes how social and economic outcomes arise without design or explicit agreement. The invisible hand refers, then, to how individuals, interacting in purposeful ways, could bring about a result that was not part of their intention. [Source: Encyclopedia of Business Ethics and Society; Invisible Hand]

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https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/invisible_hand

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