Insecurity about one’s status triggers reflexive disparagement of others.

Evidence

Allport acknowledged the functional nature of prejudice and identified both material gain and self-enhancement as basic motivational processes underlying prejudice. In terms of material gain, he noted, “Outright greed is certainly a cause of prejudice” (p. 370). With respect to psychological needs, Allport suggested that self-esteem can often be a goal in itself: “most people want to be higher on the status ladder than they are” (p. 371). However, self-enhancement can be based in avoidance as well as approach motives. Insecurity, fear, and anxiety can stimulate a need for self-enhancement, which, in some cases, creates or exacerbates prejudice. Allport believed that the “hunger for status is matched by a haunting fear that one’s status may not be secure. The effort to maintain a precarious position can bring with it an almost reflex disparagement of others” (p. 371). — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 115

Allport acknowledged the functional nature of prejudice and identified both material gain and self-enhancement as basic motivational processes underlying prejudice. In terms of material gain, he noted, “Outright greed is certainly a cause of prejudice” (p. 370). With respect to psychological needs, Allport suggested that self-esteem can often be a goal in itself: “most people want to be higher on the status ladder than they are” (p. 371). However, self-enhancement can be based in avoidance as well as approach motives. Insecurity, fear, and anxiety can stimulate a need for self-enhancement, which, in some cases, creates or exacerbates prejudice. Allport believed that the “hunger for status is matched by a haunting fear that one’s status may not be secure. The effort to maintain a precarious position can bring with it an almost reflex disparagement of others” (p. 371). — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 115

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to status-as-insurance theories and to the diamond-trade reputation material — both treat the dread of losing social standing as a behavioral driver. — connects to: The desire for others’ esteem is as basic a human want as hunger — W. David Marx, Status and Culture: How Our Desire for…, 64; Illegitimate claims to status provoke envy and social sanction — W. David Marx, Status and Culture: How Our Desire for…, 92
• corroborated: 4 independent passages support this claim — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 115; , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 115