The Pursuit of Status in Social Groups
- 1 October 2009
- journal article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Current Directions in Psychological Science
- Vol. 18 (5), 295-298
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2009.01655.x
Abstract
Status differences are ubiquitous and highly consequential. Yet with regard to human social groups, basic questions persist about how status differences develop. In particular, little is known about the processes by which individuals pursue status in social groups. That is, how do individuals compete and jockey for status with their peers? The current paper reviews recent research that helps fill this gap in our knowledge. Specifically, studies of a variety of face-to-face groups show that individuals pursue status by enhancing the apparent value they provide to their group. Individuals compete for status not by bullying and intimidating others, as some theorists have proposed, but by behaving in ways that suggest high levels of competence, generosity, and commitment to the group.Keywords
This publication has 12 references indexed in Scilit:
- Why do dominant personalities attain influence in face-to-face groups? The competence-signaling effects of trait dominance.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2009
- Are individuals' reputations related to their history of behavior?Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2008
- Nice Guys Finish First: The Competitive Altruism HypothesisPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2006
- Helping one's way to the top: Self-monitors achieve status by helping others and knowing who helps whom.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2006
- Knowing your place: Self-perceptions of status in face-to-face groups.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2006
- Who attains social status? Effects of personality and physical attractiveness in social groups.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2001
- Anger and advancement versus sadness and subjugation: The effect of negative emotion expressions on social status conferral.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2001
- Dominance and Collective Hierarchy Formation in Male and Female Task GroupsAmerican Sociological Review, 1989
- A meta-analysis of the relation between personality traits and leadership perceptions: An application of validity generalization procedures.Journal of Applied Psychology, 1986
- Status Characteristics and Social InteractionAmerican Sociological Review, 1972