Social Dominance Orientation and Intergroup Bias: The Legitimation of Favoritism for High-Status Groups

• Published in: Personality & social psychology bulletin Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. 144 - 157
• Main Authors: Levin, Shana, Federico, Christopher M., Sidanius, Jim, Rabinowitz, Joshua L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thousand Oaks, CA SAGE Publications 01-02-2002; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Dominance; Favouritism; Group dynamics; Group status; Intergroup Relations; Israel; Legitimacy; Los Angeles, California; Social classes; Social dominance theory; Social psychology; Social Status; Undergraduate Students
• ISSN: 0146-1672; 1552-7433
• DOI: 10.1177/0146167202282002

Based on both classical and contemporary perspectives on the psychology of legitimacy, it was hypothesized that the pattern of relationships between social dominance orientation (SDO) and favoritism for high-status groups would depend on the status of one’s group and the perceived legitimacy of the group-based status distinction. Among members of high-status groups, SDO was expected to be positively related to favoritism for the high-status group at both high and low levels of legitimacy. Among members of low-status groups, SDO and high-status group favoritism were only expected to be positively related when the system was perceived to be legitimate. The results of two studies provided a clear pattern of support for these expectations. Implications for social dominance theory and other perspectives on the psychology of legitimacy are discussed.