The Puzzle of Continuing Group Inequality: Piecing Together Psychological, Social, and Cultural Forces in Social Dominance Theory

Abstract

This chapter deals with a systems-dynamic approach to encompass the range of phenomena relevant to group dominance, from individual psychologies to societal organization. The chapter essentially takes into account the previous works to fit together the pieces of the puzzle of group dominance in a dynamic, integrative theory. The chapter also summarizes robust and important findings from individual prejudice, social ideologies, and institutional discrimination while emphasizing their relationships. Several social theories hint that one must examine whether social relationships are egalitarian or hierarchical. Social dominance theory integrates these processes into a dynamic system and generates research and explains phenomena across levels that social psychology frequently ignores, including the society, family, group, and individual. Because social dominance theory attempts to explain group-based dominance, it examines individuals' psychological orientations towards group dominance versus group equality. This dimension is called social dominance orientation.