The Interactive Effects of Social Dominance Orientation, Group Status, and Perceived Stability on Favoritism for High-Status Groups

Abstract

Two studies examined the interactive effects of social dominance orientation (SDO), group status, and perceived stability on various manifestations of favoritism for high-status groups: (1) an analysis of survey data from a sample of UCLA students, and (2) an analogous experimental study using a modified version of the minimal-group paradigm. Results of these studies offered general support for the hypothesis that high-SDO members of low-status groups would only favor high-status groups when the system of hierarchy was perceived to be stable (i.e. impervious to change), although findings were somewhat less clear-cut in the experimental study. Implications for social dominance theory and other theories of intergroup behavior are discussed.