Competence and the Evolutionary Origins of Status and Power in Humans

Abstract

In this paper I propose an evolutionary model of human status that expands upon an earlier model proposed by Henrich and Gil-White Evolution and Human Behavior, 22,165-196 (2001). According to their model, there are two systems of status attainment in humans-"two ways to the top": the dominance route, which involves physical intimidation, a psychology of fear and hubristic pride, and provides coercive power, and the prestige route, which involves skills and knowledge (competence), a psychology of attraction to experts and authentic pride, and translates mainly into influence. The two systems would have evolved in response to different selective pressures, with attraction to experts serving a social learning function and coinciding with the evolution of cumulative culture. In this paper I argue that (1) the only one way to the top is competence because dominance itself involves competence and confers prestige, so there is no such thing as pure dominance status; (2) dominance in primates has two components: a competitive one involving physical coercion and a cooperative one involving competence-based attraction to high-ranking individuals (proto-prestige); (3) competence grants the same general type of power (dependence-based) in humans and other primates; (4) the attractiveness of high rank in primates is homologous with the admiration of experts in humans; (5) upon the evolution of cumulative culture, the attractiveness of high rank was co-opted to generate status differentials in a vast number of culturally generated domains of activity. I also discuss, in this perspective, the origins of hubristic pride, authentic pride, and nonauthoritarian leadership.

Looming large in others' eyes: racial stereotypes illuminate dual adaptations for representing threat versus prestige as physical size

“…Although there is debate over the extent to which some non-human primates also display elements of prestige-based status (Chapais, 2015), humans are undoubtedly unique in the extent to which prestige eclipses dominance as the foundation of social rank. Natural selection operates through the modification of existing features.…”

“…In contrast, while violence plays a role in some human interactions, many human hierarchies are built on prestige, deference granted by admirers to those whom they esteem (Barkow, 1975(Barkow, , 1989Henrich & Gil-White, 2001). Although there is debate over the extent to which some non-human primates also display elements of prestige-based status (Chapais, 2015), humans are undoubtedly unique in the extent to which prestige eclipses dominance as the foundation of social rank. Natural selection operates through the modification of existing features.…”

Multiple reputation domains and cooperative behaviour in two Latin American communities

“…skill or effort) [10][11][12][49][50][51][52]. One way in which economic competency could affect cooperative outcomes is through prestige-biased transmission [11,53]. Under prestige-biased transmission, highly skilled individuals, who are valued for their knowledge and expertise, are sought out by those who wish to acquire ecologically relevant knowledge and skills.…”

Men’s status and reproductive success in 33 nonindustrial societies: Effects of subsistence, marriage system, and reproductive strategy

“…To gain status, individuals attempt to influence perceptions of their dominance (i.e., ability to inflict costs on others) or prestige (i.e., ability to confer benefits on others) (3,4). Dominance and prestige can be difficult to disentangle because dominance can be a source of prestige and vice versa (5). The particular traits that underlie dominance and prestige may vary across groups, but dominance and prestige are often based on conspicuous, interindividual differences in body size (6); intelligence and skill (7); consumption (8); and generosity (9,10).…”