Topic
Status group
About: Status group is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 92 publications have been published within this topic receiving 5661 citations.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
TL;DR: The authors argue that status is a central mechanism behind durable patterns of inequality based on social differences, and that status beliefs bias evaluations of competence and suitability for authority, bias associational preferences, and evoke resistance to status challenges from low-status group members.
Abstract: To understand the mechanisms behind social inequality, this address argues that we need to more thoroughly incorporate the effects of status—inequality based on differences in esteem and respect—alongside those based on resources and power. As a micro motive for behavior, status is as significant as money and power. At a macro level, status stabilizes resource and power inequality by transforming it into cultural status beliefs about group differences regarding who is “better” (esteemed and competent). But cultural status beliefs about which groups are “better” constitute group differences as independent dimensions of inequality that generate material advantages due to group membership itself. Acting through microlevel social relations in workplaces, schools, and elsewhere, status beliefs bias evaluations of competence and suitability for authority, bias associational preferences, and evoke resistance to status challenges from low-status group members. These effects accumulate to direct members of higher status groups toward positions of resources and power while holding back lower status group members. Through these processes, status writes group differences such as gender, race, and class-based life style into organizational structures of resources and power, creating durable inequality. Status is thus a central mechanism behind durable patterns of inequality based on social differences.
835 citations
TL;DR: In this article, it is argued that members of low-status groups are faced with a psychological conflict between group justification tendencies to evaluate members of one's own group favorably and system justification tendency to endorse the superiority of higher status outgroups.
Abstract: It is argued that members of low status groups are faced with a psychological conflict between group justification tendencies to evaluate members of one’s own group favorably and system justification tendencies to endorse the superiority of higher status out-groups. In Study 1, members of low status groups exhibited less ingroup favoritism and more ingroup ambivalence than did members of high status groups. Perceptions that the status differences were legitimate increased outgroup favoritism and ambivalence among low status groups, and they increased ingroup favoritism and decreased ambivalence among high status groups. In Study 2, the belief in a just world and social dominance orientation increased ambivalence on the part of women toward female victims of gender discrimination, but they decreased ambivalence on the part of men. Evidence here indicates that system-justifying variables increase ingroup ambivalence among low status group members and decrease ambivalence among high status group members.
416 citations
TL;DR: The authors found that activating meritocratic beliefs increases the extent to which individuals psychologically justify status inequalities, even when those inequalities are disadvantageous to the self, and that priming meritocracy prompts individuals to engage in system-justifying psychological responses when they experience threat either at the personal or group level.
389 citations
TL;DR: The main results are that, generally, members of high status groups show more satisfaction and in-group identification than members of low status groups and a collective attempt at social change seems to be evoked when group status is unstable.
Abstract: According to social identity theory, striving of group members for enhancement of their social identity may be resolved through individual mobility (i.e. by dissociation from one's own group in order to gain membership of a higher status group), or by social change (i.e. by upgrading the status position of the in-group as a whole). Individual mobility may only be achieved when group boundaries are permeable; social change is only feasible when group status is unstable. This study investigates how these structural characteristics of the intergroup situation affect group members' preference for the individual mobility or social change strategy. In a laboratory setting subjects were given bogus feedback to induce differential levels of individual ability and group status. Additionally, the permeability of group boundaries and the stability of group status were manipulated. The main results are that, generally, members of high status groups show more satisfaction and in-group identification than members of low status groups. Permeable group boundaries apparently induce a tendency to strive for individual mobility, regardless of the in-group's status position. In relation to members of impermeable groups, members of groups with permeable boundaries show decreased in-group identification; there is evidence of (anticipatory) identification with the higher status group instead. A collective attempt at social change seems to be evoked when group status is unstable. In all groups with unstable status, members indicate their readiness to try to improve their group's status position. Moreover, members of low status groups with unstable status positions show relatively strong in-group identification, despite the lack of positive distinctiveness available to the in-group at the time.
367 citations
Book•
1 Sep 1998
TL;DR: The Nature of Groups Group Development Group Size Group Territory The Nature of Group Composition The amount of group resources The Variability in Group Resources The Compatibility in Group resources The Elements of Group Structure Group Position Group Status Group Roles Group Norms Group Leadership The nature of Cohesion Correlates of cohesion in sport teams Team Goals Cooperation and Competition in groups Group Interaction and Communication Collective Efficacy Team Building in sport.
Abstract: The Nature of Groups Group Development Group Size Group Territory The Nature of Group Composition The Amount of Group Resources The Variability in Group Resources The Compatibility in Group Resources The Elements of Group Structure Group Position Group Status Group Roles Group Norms Group Leadership The Nature of Cohesion Correlates of Cohesion in Sport Teams Team Goals Co-operation and Competition in Groups Group Interaction and Communication Collective Efficacy Team Building in Sport.
353 citations
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |