Box 1.

Key dominance relevant constructs and their definitions.

Term	Definition
Social hierarchy	A system of linear variations in prestige, status, and authority among group members, also known as a “pecking order.” Describes who is influential and who submits to that influence.
Rank	Also known as “dominance rank.” An individual’s quantitative position in a social hierarchy. Circumstantially determined and subject to change in concert with the social conditions of the group.
Dominance	Short for “trait dominance.” A general personality trait, persistent and stable, that captures a tendency to prefer being in a high position in a social hierarchy. This trait applies to both human and nonhuman primates. Involves tendencies to be assertive, forceful, and self-assured, and as such, overlaps with trait assertiveness, confidence, social potency, boldness, etc.
Assertiveness	An adaptive style of communication in which individuals express their feelings and needs directly while maintaining respect for others. In some personality models, assertiveness is a facet of extraversion and has considerable conceptual and measurement overlap with dominance, social potency, etc.
Extraversion	A general personality trait characterized by personal orientation toward the outer world of living (and non-living) things. Dominance/assertiveness is one aspect and facet.
Social class	A collection of individuals with defined membership and privileges in the form of status, income, or property.
Social power	Or just “power.” An individual’s capacity to influence others, even when they resist. Derives from various sources including control over rewards, punishment, others’ attraction to powerful individuals, the powerholder’s access to superior information, etc. Resource-holding power is a subset. Often discussed in the context of motive traits, as a “need for power.”
Domineering	A trait indicating a desire to have high social control and coerce others into adhering to one’s will.
Prestige	A trait concerning the desire to be admired and respected primarily for one’s skills and knowledge.
Leadership	A trait capturing the desire to take initiative and responsibility in one’s group to direct it toward a common group goal.