NCJ Number
235334
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 40 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2011 Pages: 694-706
Date Published
June 2011
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study examined the influence of parents and peers on adolescents' social dominance orientation (SDO).
Abstract
Studies with adults of social dominance orientation (SDO), a preference for inequality among social groups, have found correlations with various prejudices and support for discriminatory practices. This study explores the construct among adolescents at an age when they are beginning to recognize the social groups in their environment, particularly adolescent crowds. The relationship of SDO and perceptions of parents' responsiveness and demandingness were also investigated. Subjects were in grades 9-12 (N = 516, 53 percent female, 96 percent White). Mother's and father's responsiveness significantly predicted adolescent's SDO scores, with greater perceived responsiveness associated with lower SDO. To analyze the multiple crowd memberships of the 76 percent belonging to more than one crowd, two-step cluster analysis was used to identify patterns, resulting in eight clusters of distinct, heterogeneous composition. SDO differed significantly among males in different clusters, but not females. The importance of membership was positively associated with SDO among high-status crowds and negatively associated with SDO among the academic and normal crowds. The findings have implications for prejudices that may be developing in adolescence and indicate a need for further research into the social context of SDO and its development. (Published Abstract)