Social Power & Hierarchy

Social hierarchy
1. Implicit or explicit rank order of individuals with respect to a valued social dimension
2. Formal hierarchy
  1. Explicit roles that vary by rank order, with higher ranking roles, holding greater value
    1. Power = control over resources and deference from subordinates (status)
    2. Ex - job titles, reporting structures
3. Informal hierarchy
  1. Rank ordering of individuals that develops organically on at least one valued social dimension
    1. Power = influence over group decisions and greater attention from others
4. Social power
  1. Controlled over valued resources in social relations
5. Social status
  1. The extent to which an individual is respected by others
  2. We give more attention to higher ranked individuals
Hierarchical differentiation
1. Process through which individuals are sorted into rank ordered positions
  1. Differentiation in formal hierarchies
    1. Sorting is a dynamic problem b/c people can enter and leave the hierarchy
    2. Individuals can move laterally or progress through the ranks
  2. Differentiation in informal hierarchies
    1. Differentiation develops spontaneously and rapidly
      1. Based on behaviour within the first few minutes
    2. Depends on which dimension is important to the group
2. Differentiation based on personality
  1. Individuals achieve rank to the extent they represent the defining features of that group
  2. Task oriented organization
    1. Conscientiousness predicts rank
    2. Socially oriented organization
      1. Extraversion predicts rank
3. Differentiation based on group needs
  1. Groups needing little coordination
    1. Groups needing high coordination
      1. Tentative speaking styles predict rank
    2. Assertive speaking styles predict rank
Functions of hierarchy
1. Social order
  1. Fulfills basic need for order and structure.
2. Coordinations
  1. Creates differentiated roles
    1. When hierarchy is unclear, work is confusing
3. Incentive
  1. Provides motivation
    1. High rank = material and psychological rewards
Hierarchy maintenance
1. Power transforms how an individual sees the world
  1. Social power predicts speaking time and speaking out of turn
  2. High power = low perspective taking abilities and emotion detection
  3. Expect higher ranked people to be more competent, even without observing performance
    1. Expectancy confirmation
      1. Randomly assigned people to different positions - managers were still seen as more competent
2. Power approach theory
  1. High power = focuses on attractive aspects of situations (rewards)
  2. Low power = inhibition due to threat of losing favour (focus on punishment)
3. Noblesse oblige
  1. Rich people should be generous to those without
4. Hierarchy enhancing beliefs
  1. Social dominance orientation
    1. Hierarchy is viewed as natural and inevitable
    2. High in SDO = prefer inequality
    3. Legitimizing myths
      1. Accepted beliefs that provide rationale for the differential status of certain groups
      2. Social Darwinism, meritocracy and cultural elitism (elite class deserves the finer things in life)
Hierarchy instability
1. Instability predicts prolonged hormonal stress
2. External change
  1. Occurs through:
    1. New environment
      1. Different perceived value of previously valued resources
    2. External shock
      1. Events such as mergers b/w companies
3. Fairness and legitimacy
  1. Fairness of resource allocation
    1. Disparity b/w low and high rank
  2. Legitimate when rank is determined by appropriate means and high ranks don't abuse power
4. Competition
  1. Caused by upward social comparison
5. Status constraints
  1. Reciprocity norm
    1. People want to associate with people of high rank
      1. If they don't return attention, lose interest
  2. Status leakage
    1. High status individuals lose power by being seen interacting with low status individuals
      1. Low status get a greater boost in status

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Social Power & Hierarchy

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	Created by andreaarose over 10 years ago