Who attains social status? Effects of personality and physical attractiveness in social groups
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Short Title:
Who attains social status?
Format:
Journal Article
Publication Year:
n.d.
Pages:
116-132
Sources ID:
22921
Visibility:
Private
Zotero Collections:
Contexts of Contemplation Project
Abstract:
(Show)
One of the most important goals and outcomes of social life is to attain status in the groups to which we belong. Such face-to-face status is defined by the amount of respect, influence, and prominence each member enjoys in the eyes of the others. Three studies investigated personological determinants of status in social groups (fraternity, sorority, and dormitory), relating the Big Five personality traits and physical attractiveness to peer ratings of status. High Extraversion substantially predicted elevated status for both sexes. High Neuroticism, incompatible with male gender norms, predicted lower status in men. None of the other Big Five traits predicted status. These effects were independent of attractiveness, which predicted higher status only in men. Contrary to previous claims, women's status ordering was just as stable as men's but emerged later. Discussion focuses on personological pathways to attaining status and on potential mediators.
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