Abstract:

Dominance traits, which capture an individuals’ capacity and drive to acquire and maintain resource holding power, are found in humans as well as our close primate relatives. Power often translates into rank or status. However, the nature of power, status, and rank in contemporary humans is notably different from what is observed in nonhumans. What are the common characteristics of dominant, power-seeking humans? And how does power-seeking adapt over time, particularly in response to relevant life events? Using several large, often longitudinal, human samples mostly from the USA, we demonstrate using correlational analyses including confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling that humans possess a core trait of assertive power-seeking. This trait is generally stable over time and not subject to substantial influence from external factors in one’s life. Perceived social status itself is also highly stable over time. These results have important implications for our conception of what the various traits, motive, and strategies that support status attainment have in common, as well as for our thinking on the temporality of human hierarchies and the traits that support our existence in hierarchies.

Speaker's social media:

bsky: @dremalt.bsky.social ; twitter: @dremalt