How different forms of social rank are expressed in social behavior: A study of emerging adults in cooperative and competitive contexts

This study aims to provide insight into the overlap and distinctiveness of four forms of social rank (i.e., popularity, likeability, dominance, and prestige) that are frequently discussed across the social sciences. We do so by examining the associations of these self-reported social rank indicators with each other, and with observer-rated social behaviors (positive behavior, skillful leadership, negative behavior, dominant behavior, and behavioral influence) in emerging adults ( n = 232, age: 18–25, 54% women) interacting in online cooperative and competitive group tasks. Results showed that the four social rank indicators were distinct, as evidenced by moderate correlations and unique profiles of behavioral correlates. After controlling for other social rank indicators, prestige emerged as the most robust and consistent predictor of observer-rated social behavior, including positive behavior, skillful leadership, and behavioral influence, across both contexts. Taken together, our results reveal that popularity, likeability, and prestige overlap most strongly and partially share behavioral profiles, whereas these three social rank indicators are distinct from dominance.