status conflict

status conflict

the competition and vying for position and esteem which occurs within systems of SOCIAL STRATIFICATION based on STATUS 2 (see also STATUS GROUP). Status conflicts can be greatest between groups which stand in adjacent positions within a status hierarchy, and are thus direct competitors (see also RELATIVE DEPRIVATION, SOCIAL CLOSURE). This explains why a diminishing of distinctions of CLASS and rank, as in some modern societies, may be associated with a heightening of status tensions and status conflicts, since this leaves greater scope for competition around subtler distinctions of status (see also STATUS SYMBOL, RIESMAN, GOFFMAN). However competition and conflict between status groups also, exist in preindustrial and traditional societies (see CASTE, ESTATE). See also STATUS CONSISTENCY AND INCONSISTENCY.