How are Inconsistencies between Status and Ability Resolved?

Abstract

This Technical Report (similar to 32, 35 and 53) addresses the form of combination of status characteristics with particular interest in developing the theory of status characteristics and expectation states for multi- characteristic situations. The authors differentiate Stuart Hughes’ view of status dilemmas from Gerhard Lenski’s view of status crystallization, and they note that, due to its structural approach, Hughes’ view deals with situations that Lenski’s view would not treat as problematic. The authors conducted two experimental tests. Results showed combining of status characteristics, without evidence of either status crystallization or effects of status dilemmas.