Search results for "Social dominance theory"

Power and Legitimizing Ideologies in Hierarchy-Enhancing vs. Hierarchy-Attenuating Environments

2012

According to social dominance theory, intergroup dynamics are strongly influenced by the social positions which individuals hold in society. Several studies suggest that holding a position of power can, sometimes automatically, generate negative attitudes and hostile behaviors toward subordinate social groups. However, at present, the studies carried out on these effects of power have not taken into account the influence of the normative context. Based on the distinction made by Sidanius and Pratto between “hierarchy-enhancing” (HE) vs. “hierarchy-attenuating” (HA) environments, this study examines if the effects of power on legitimizing cognitions vary as a function of the normative enviro…