| Power and status hierarchies are ubiquitous in human society. Although a significant amount of evidence suggests that people seek power and status, there is a general emphasis in the extant literature on hierarchy acceptance and reinforcement. This dissertation examines the actions people take to challenge and modify the hierarchies of which they are a part, particularly in response to structural characteristics of those hierarchies. Chapter 1 introduces the central concepts investigated in the dissertation. Chapter 2 examines the effects of status hierarchy dispersion and legitimacy on group members' behaviors. Two studies indicate that hierarchy dispersion increases individuals' motivation to attain high status, particularly in hierarchies perceived to be illegitimate, leading to status challenges, which are detrimental for group performance. Chapter 3 investigates the interaction of power and legitimacy on the tendency to conform to social norms. Whereas legitimate power decreases conformity to norms, illegitimate power increases conformity, compared to being powerless. Chapter 4 examines how people value power and status distinctly. There is a general tendency for people to place greater importance on status, defined as the respect they receive from others, compared to power, the control they have over valuable resources. This is moderated by gender, with men tending to value power more than women, and women valuing status more than men. Furthermore, whereas legitimacy does not change the value of having power, legitimate status is significantly more valuable than illegitimate status. Chapter 5 captures common themes across the projects, identifies implications for researchers and organizations, and highlights additional questions that should be addressed in future research. |
