Mahadevan, Nikhila and Gregg, Aiden P and Sedikides, Constantine (2022) How Does Social Status Relate to Self-Esteem and Emotion? An Integrative Test of Hierometer Theory and Social Rank Theory. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 152 (3). pp. 632-656. DOI https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001286
Mahadevan, Nikhila and Gregg, Aiden P and Sedikides, Constantine (2022) How Does Social Status Relate to Self-Esteem and Emotion? An Integrative Test of Hierometer Theory and Social Rank Theory. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 152 (3). pp. 632-656. DOI https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001286
Mahadevan, Nikhila and Gregg, Aiden P and Sedikides, Constantine (2022) How Does Social Status Relate to Self-Esteem and Emotion? An Integrative Test of Hierometer Theory and Social Rank Theory. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 152 (3). pp. 632-656. DOI https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001286
Abstract
Drawing together insights from two theories—hierometer theory and social rank theory—we investigated the links among social status, self-esteem, and emotion. Both theories address how individuals navigate social hierarchies. Both posit adaptive dynamics whereby a social input (status or rank) shapes one or more psychological mechanisms, which then regulate a behavioral output. However, they emphasize different psychological mechanisms. Whereas hierometer theory emphasizes self-regard—in particular, self-esteem—social rank theory emphasizes emotions—in particular, depression, anxiety, and shame. We tested hypotheses derived from these theories, examining the links among status, self-esteem, and these emotions, across six studies (N = 1,719). In Studies 1 and 2 (cross-sectional), status correlated positively with self-esteem, and negatively with depression, anxiety, and shame (but not guilt). Studies 3–6 established the causal pathways between these constructs for the first time. In Studies 3 and 4 (experimental), increasing status induced higher state self-esteem, and lower depression, anxiety, and shame (but not guilt). In Studies 5 and 6 (experimental), increasing self-esteem induced lower depression, anxiety, and shame. Finally, across studies, self-esteem statistically and causally mediated the links between status and depression, status and anxiety, as well as status and shame. Our research advances theoretical and empirical understanding of self-esteem and emotion as functional trackers of one’s place in the social hierarchy. It points to self-esteem playing a more primary role as a tracker of status, helping to explicate how and why status is related to these clinically relevant emotions.
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Uncontrolled Keywords: | hierometer theory; social rank theory; social status; self-esteem; emotions |
Divisions: | Faculty of Science and Health Faculty of Science and Health > Psychology, Department of |
SWORD Depositor: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
Depositing User: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
Date Deposited: | 12 Jan 2023 13:59 |
Last Modified: | 07 Aug 2024 20:11 |
URI: | http://repository.essex.ac.uk/id/eprint/33203 |
Available files
Filename: JEPG 2022_Mahadevan Gregg Sedikides_SRT & HMT 1.docx.pdf