Social-rank cues: Decoding rank from physical characteristics, behaviors, and possessions.
Curr Opin Psychol 2021;
43:79-84. [PMID:
34298204 DOI:
10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.06.012]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Inferring individuals' social rank-their position within a hierarchy-is central to many interactions. However, how do observers assess actors' social rank? The current article reviews three broad sources of social-rank cues: physical characteristics, behaviors, and possessions. First, observers infer an actor's social rank from ancestral stereotypes tethered to physical characteristics. Second, observers ascribe social rank to an actor from behaviors that range from nonverbal communication to explicit acts.Finally, observers assume social rank from actors' possessions. The present review emphasizes recent developments in these areas and poses question for future research.
Collapse