Drivers of desire for social rank

Abstract

Why are humans so often obsessed with climbing social hierarchies and increasing their social rank? This question has fascinated psychologists for decades and, in this paper, we review recent research intended to answer five specific questions related to people's desire for high social rank: (1) why do people desire high social rank, (2) for whom is the desire for high social rank the strongest, (3) when (i.e., under which circumstances) is the desire for social rank the strongest, (4) what are the consequences of the desire for high social rank, and (5) when and why do people not desire to maximize their social rank? Finally, we offer future directions for research on drivers of desire for social rank.