How and Why We Play Social Status Games - Will Storr
Mar 7, 2022
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Will Storr, best-selling author of The Status Game, delves into the fundamental human motive of social status. He discusses how our pursuit of status can drive personal growth and success, while also influencing our relationships and society at large. Storr shares insights on navigating social interactions, the dynamics of workplace status, and cultural differences in competitiveness. He also highlights the dual nature of status, linking it to both altruism and conflict, and offers practical tips for enhancing social standing through authenticity and connection.
Status affirmation promotes well-being and positive states.
Deep dives
Understanding the Human Pursuit of Social Status
Human behavior is fundamentally driven by the pursuit of social status, a concept ingrained in our evolutionary history. The podcast delves into how status influences human interactions, dividing status games into dominance, virtue, and success. Through warmth, sincerity, and competence, individuals can navigate these status games effectively, ultimately highlighting the importance of social status in shaping human behavior.
The Significance of Status Games Throughout History
The discussion extends to the historical roots of status games, emphasizing their role in tribal life and contemporary society. Status games showcase diverse methods of attaining status, ranging from physical prowess to intellectual achievements. The podcast underscores how subtle cues and interactions reflect individuals engaging in various status games, shaping social hierarchies and relationships.
Impacts of Status Deprivation and Recognition on Human Behavior
Status deprivation can lead to detrimental effects on individuals' well-being, causing stress, anxiety, and even physical illness. Conversely, recognition and status affirmation serve as essential social nutrients, promoting positive psychological states. The podcast explores how understanding the dynamics of status can aid in effective communication, relationship-building, and overall personal development.
The Influence of Status Games in Social Media
Technologists adapt to user preferences by providing social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, as explained in the podcast. These platforms function as 'slot machines' for status, following a behavioral model that mixes rewards with unpredictability. Users engage in a status gamble with every social media interaction, with likes and responses determining their social standing.
Status, Health, and Social Hierarchies
The podcast delves into a study by Dr. Michael Marmot focusing on social hierarchies within bureaucratic organizations. The "status syndrome" suggests a correlation between higher social status and improved health outcomes, independent of lifestyle factors like diet or exercise. Insights from social genomics hint at the impact of social status on inflammation levels, potentially affecting overall health and longevity.
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Whether we like it or not, our desire for status is a fundamental human motive. You’re the hero in your own story that you live out each day and ultimately it’s the unconscious status game you play that defines who you are. But is our desire for status such a bad thing? Will Storr, author of The Status Game tells us that status is what drives you to be a better person, more confident and more successful. In this episode, expect to learn why status is a fundamental part of the human condition and what you can do to gain more status in the modern world.
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