Status Psychology

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Status Psychology

Introduction

Instructor: Dr. Rob Henderson

  • PhD in psychology from Cambridge University
  • Course focuses on cutting-edge research on social status
  • Post-replication crisis psychology research ensures improved study reliability

The Psychology of Status

Defining Status

  • Abraham Maslow’s Definition: Reputation or prestige as respect, esteem, recognition, attention, importance, or appreciation.
  • Agnes Callard’s Definition: “How much value other people accord you.”
  • Key Insight: Status exists in the minds of others; you cannot simply declare yourself high status.

Why Do We Care About Status?

  • Michael Gazzaniga: “When you wake up, you think about status.”
  • Default Mode Network: Brain areas active when we mind-wander are the same as when we think about social status and evaluation.

Evolutionary Roots of Status

What is Evolutionary Psychology?

  • Defined by Tania Reynolds: Examining how the mind evolved to solve problems faced by human ancestors.
  • Human evolution:
  • 300,000 years of hunter-gatherer life shaped our psychology.
  • 10,000 years ago, the agricultural revolution shifted our environment.
  • Mismatch Hypothesis: Traits that were once adaptive may be maladaptive today (e.g., overeating in food-abundant environments).

Status and Reproductive Benefits

  • Evolution prioritizes reproduction over survival.
  • Risk-taking behavior: Increases reproductive opportunities despite survival risks.
  • Dominant vs. non-reproductive individuals: Those preoccupied with survival but not mating leave fewer descendants.

Dominance vs. Prestige

Dominance: The Older Form of Status

  • Traits: Narcissism, aggression, coercion.
  • Mechanism: Instills fear through intimidation and violence.
  • Example: Comrade Duch (Cambodia) ruled through arbitrary terror.
  • Cost of Dominance: Stress, short lifespan, instability.

Prestige: The Human Innovation

  • Traits: Social acceptance, stable self-esteem, conscientiousness.
  • Mechanism: Freely conferred status based on competence and knowledge.
  • Example: Stephen Hawking – admired for contributions rather than force.
  • Benefits: Teaching, granting access to resources, status boost by association.

Evolutionary Shift from Dominance to Prestige

  • Christopher Boehm: Hierarchy in the Forest describes egalitarian hunter-gatherer societies.
  • Self-Domestication Hypothesis (Richard Wrangham):
  • Humans systematically eliminated bullies.
  • Rise of coalitionary proactive aggression (strategic violence vs. impulsive aggression).
  • Paradox: More peaceful within groups, but more strategic and lethal to outsiders.

Status vs. Power

Key Distinctions

  • Status: Based on respect and admiration.
  • Power: Control over access to resources.
  • Examples:
  • Michael Phelps: High status, low power.
  • Nightclub bouncer: High power, low status.
  • Air Force class leader: Power without status due to lack of respect.

Sex Differences in Status and Power

  • Men desire power more than women.
  • Women prioritize status more than men.
  • Power: Resources and control.
  • Status: Social relationships and communal belonging.

Developmental Origins of Status

Understanding Status from a Young Age

  • Children (5 years old): More likely to imitate high-status individuals.
  • Infants (Looking Time Studies): Expect fair resource distribution unless status hierarchy is introduced.
  • Evolutionary function: Status perception develops early to navigate social hierarchies.

Sociometric vs. Socioeconomic Status

Social Status Predicts Happiness More Than Wealth

  • Sociometric Status: Respect and admiration from peers.
  • Stronger predictor of well-being than socioeconomic status in developed countries.
  • People envy high-status individuals more than wealthy individuals.

Modern Status vs. Ancestral Status

  • Past: Prestige was conferred for skills in hunting, warfare, tool-making.
  • Present: Prestige can be obtained through social media and marketing (e.g., “The Angelina Effect”).

Fundamental Human Motives

Criteria for Fundamental Psychological Needs

  1. Shapes long-term health and well-being.
  2. Induces goal-directed behavior.
  3. Feels inherently rewarding (not just a means to an end).
  4. Universal across cultures and individuals.

Status as a Fundamental Human Need

  • High status → Higher self-esteem, better health.
  • Low status → Increased depression, anxiety, stress.
  • Dominance vs. Prestige:
  • Prestige is healthier and longer-lasting.
  • Dominance leads to stress and instability.

The Hierometer and Sociometer Models

Psychological Mechanisms for Social Positioning

  • Sociometer: Monitors belonging (social inclusion).
  • Hierometer: Monitors status (social rank).
  • Both regulate emotions and behavior to navigate social hierarchies.

The Big Two Social Axes

  • Agency: Getting ahead (status-seeking, competence, ambition).
  • Communion: Getting along (affiliation, likability, morality).
  • Balance is key: Seeking too much status can harm social relationships.

Status, Power, and Social Behavior

Insults as Status Attacks

  • Men: Attacked for competence (“weak,” “dumb”) or morality (“asshole,” “liar”).
  • Women: Attacked for competence (“annoying,” “needy”) or morality (“slut,” “shallow”).
  • Insults target traits related to dominance and prestige.

Cyberball Study: Social Exclusion Hurts

  • Being left out of a ball-tossing game induces strong emotional distress.
  • Social exclusion triggers deep-seated evolutionary fears.
  • Modern context: Even minor exclusions can feel psychologically painful.

Summary

  • Status is an evolutionary adaptation.
  • Two routes to status: Dominance (coercion) and Prestige (admiration).
  • Power ≠ Status: Power controls resources, status is about respect.
  • Humans evolved to value status because it leads to reproductive success.
  • Modern status dynamics are shaped by both ancient and novel factors.
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