THE ROLE OF SOCIAL IDENTITY PROCESSES IN STATUS CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

According to status construction theory, a social attribute becomes imbued with status value through its association with valued resources. Yet, explanations for such associations have received scant attention. I propose that social identity processes may lead agents controlling resources to over-allocate to in-group members. This generates a doubly dissimilar situation in which actors are differentiated both with respect to a nominal characteristic and resources, leading the characteristic to become imbued with status value. I find support for this elaboration in a sample of newly founded organizations. I discuss the implications of this elaboration for further developments in status construction theory.

Citation

Troyer, L. (2003), "THE ROLE OF SOCIAL IDENTITY PROCESSES IN STATUS CONSTRUCTION", Thye, S.R. and Skvoretz, J. (Ed.) Power and Status (Advances in Group Processes, Vol. 20), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 149-172. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0882-6145(03)20006-0