Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) is a psychological concept that refers to an individual's degree of preference for hierarchical and group-based social structures. It was first proposed by Jim Sidanius and Felicia Pratto in 1999 as a part of their social dominance theory. SDO reflects a person's attitude and beliefs about group-based hierarchies and the distribution of power and resources within society.
Psychologists describe Social Dominance Orientation as follows:
Preference for Group-based Hierarchies: Individuals with high SDO tend to endorse and support hierarchical social systems where certain groups have more power, status, and resources than others. They believe in the legitimacy of such group-based systems and see them as natural and appropriate.
Justification of Inequality: High SDO individuals are more likely to rationalize and justify social inequalities as being a natural consequence of differences in abilities, intelligence, or work ethic between social groups. They may be less concerned about reducing these disparities and may even see them as beneficial or necessary for society's stability.
Authoritarian Attitudes: Those high in SDO are more likely to exhibit authoritarian attitudes, valuing strong leadership and strict adherence to traditional norms and values. They may support the use of force and control to maintain social order and obedience.
Prejudice and Discrimination: High SDO individuals may display greater levels of prejudice and discrimination against lower-status groups, seeing them as less deserving of respect and fewer rights.
Group-based Competition: Individuals with high SDO often view intergroup relations in competitive terms, perceiving other groups as threats to their own group's dominance. This can lead to an "us versus them" mentality.
Personality Trait: Social Dominance Orientation is considered a stable personality trait that can influence an individual's attitudes and behaviors across different situations.
SDO is one of the psychological constructs used to understand social behavior and attitudes towards group-based power dynamics. It is often studied in the context of intergroup relations, social inequality, and the dynamics of prejudice and discrimination. Researchers use various measures, such as questionnaires, to assess an individual's level of social dominance orientation and study its implications on social attitudes and behaviors.