Social dominance correlates with valuing power and enjoying cruelty

Evidence

Jackman (ch. 6 this volume) goes further, arguing that paternalism, which disguises dominance with an overlay of affection toward subordinates, is the preferred mode by which dominants maintain their advantages and undermine subordinates’ resistance. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 182 (#complicates, via linked claim)

The explanation that women receive positive reinforcement for communal behaviors and adopting traditional roles is consistent with socialstructural theories of sexism (Eagly, 1987; Gutek, 1985). In particular, Jackman (1994) argues that benevolence toward subordinates in general (not only women) serves to reinforce the dominant group’s position of superiority and control. Whites in the American Old South once stereotyped Blacks as cheerful and loyal, but also as ignorant, submissive, and in need of protection. Most perniciously, these beliefs were internalized by Blacks, and resulted in their helping to maintain a system of own-group oppression. Similarly, stereotyping women as nice (but weak) and treating them in a benevolent (but patronizing) manner serves to maintain gender hegemony, in at least two ways. First, it undermines perceptions of female competence and authority, relegating women to low-status, nurturing roles. Second, it may lead women themselves to uphold the status quo. Certainly oppression is more palatable for subordinates when it is “sugar-coated,” compared with when it is overtly hostile (Jackman, ch. 6 this volume). — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 768 (#complicates, via linked claim)

A particular disquiet and rage were caused by his hypothesis that cruelty is not committed by cruel individuals, but by ordinary men and women trying to acquit themselves well of their ordinary duties; and his findings, that while cruelty correlates but poorly with the personal characteristics of its perpetrators, it correlates very strongly indeed with the relationship of authority and subordination, with our normal, daily encountered, structure of power and obedience. ‘The person who, with inner conviction, loathes stealing, killing, and assault, may find himself performing these acts with relative ease when commanded by authority. Behaviour that is unthinkable in an individual who is acting on his own may be executed without hesitation when carried out under orders. — Zygmunt Bauman, Modernity and the Holocaust, 434 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Dominance psychology is older than prestige and runs on fear-based coercion — Joseph Henrich, The Secret of Our Success: How Culture…, 396; Social dominance orientation correlates with low empathy, agreeableness, and morality; Duty-driven obedience, not personality, predicts cruelty under authority — Zygmunt Bauman, Modernity and the Holocaust, 434 (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• Dominant groups maintain advantage through affection-laced paternalism rather than hostility #complicates (0.80) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 182
• Duty-driven obedience, not personality, predicts cruelty under authority #complicates (0.78) — Zygmunt Bauman, Modernity and the Holocaust, 434
• Benevolent paternalism toward subordinates perpetuates their own-group oppression #complicates (0.78) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 768