Animal dominance hierarchies poorly model human status structures

Evidence

These parallels between dominance hierarchies in the animal world and human status structures are far too simplistic. Grade-school bullying may resemble pecking orders, but status hierarchies tend to be based more on esteem rather than raw power. Status is more akin to language, argues Cecilia Ridgeway: “a social form that is deeply cultural and socially learned.” We are not “status monkeys” any more than we are “song birds.” — W. David Marx, Status and Culture, 62

Categorization

• recurring: this claim recurs 2 times within its source
• XREF: connects to: Dog breed ownership maps onto social class hierarchies — W. David Marx, Status and Culture: How Our Desire for…, 802; Inherited maternal rank shapes offspring social status among several primate species. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3260; Status hierarchies can emerge purely from individuals’ belonging, distinctiveness, and esteem needs — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 855 (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• Dog breed ownership maps onto social class hierarchies #exemplifies (0.85) — W. David Marx, Status and Culture, 802
• Dominance and submission behaviors have long been known to be genetically influenced in animals #qualifies (0.82) — Bob Altemeyer, The Authoritarian Specter, 894
• Inherited maternal rank shapes offspring social status among several primate species. #complicates (0.80) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3260
• Social hierarchy is maintained by dominants and subordinates cooperatively #complicates (0.78) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3212
• Human societies structure hierarchy by age, gender, and arbitrary-sets #expands (0.78)
• Status hierarchies can emerge purely from individuals’ belonging, distinctiveness, and esteem needs #expands (0.75) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 855