Dominance-/Intimidation-based Status

Dominance-/intimidation-based status is achieving social rank through coercion, aggression, and intimidation. Unlike prestige-/competence-based status (given freely based on respect for an individual’s knowledge, skills, or accomplishments), dominance relies on fear and the threat of harm. To achieve status this way, narcissists manipulate group resources, threaten, or use physical and social aggression. Subordinates defer to a dominant individual out of fear of punishment or to avoid conflict, rather than out of admiration or respect. Dominance-based hierarchies are often less stable than prestige-based ones. They are maintained by force and can be resisted, challenged, or dismantled by coalitions of lower-ranking individuals who coordinate to suppress the coercive behavior. It can exist in both formal power structures, such as a boss-employee relationship, and informal ones, like bullying among peers. Individuals motivated by dominance may exhibit hubristic pride, narcissism, and arrogance. Their actions are often antisocial and self-serving.