Which type of power is defined by control over important information?

• A. Charismatic power
• B. Information power
• C. Resource power
• D. Personal power

Answer: (B)

Controlling important information gives influence because people rely on that data to make decisions, plan actions, or solve problems. This is information power: the ability to shape outcomes by granting or withholding knowledge that others need. In contexts like criminal justice practice, access to case details, procedures, or policy updates can sway choices and actions, making the information holder particularly influential.

Charismatic power comes from personal charm and the ability to inspire or attract others, not from information control. Resource power depends on mastery over tangible assets or materials. Personal power is a broader sense of influence rooted in an individual’s personality or interpersonal style, not specifically about information access.