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

2002/02/01 by Shana Levin, Christopher M. Federico, Jim Sidanius +1 · 3 citations
Social Sciences · Psychology · #Social and Intergroup Psychology #Cultural Differences and Values #Social and Cultural Dynamics #Social dominance orientation #Legitimacy #Psychology #Social psychology #Legitimation #Dominance (genetics) #In-group favoritism #Social status #Social group #System justification #Social identity theory #Political science #Politics #Law

paper · doi:10.1177/0146167202282002

openalex publication_date 2002/02/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/02

Abstract

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.

Citations

• Racism, conservatism, Affirmative Action, and intellectual sophistication: A matter of principled conservatism or group dominance?
• Comments on the motivational status of self‐esteem in social identity and intergroup discrimination
• Social Identity Theory: Constructive and Critical Advances.
• Social dominance orientation: A personality variable predicting social and political attitudes.
• Selections from the Prison Notebooks

Cited by

• Janus‐faced nature of colorblindness: Social dominance orientation moderates the relationship between colorblindness and outgroup attitudes
• Cultural and Institutional Determinants of Social Dominance Orientation: A Cross‐Cultural Meta‐Analysis of 27 Societies
• Social dominance orientation [wikipedia]