Cheng et al. 2013 — Two ways to the top: dominance and prestige as distinct routes to social rank

What the study found

Cheng and colleagues examined how people rise in standing within groups. Across their studies they found that rank is not reached by a single path but through two distinct strategies: Dominance, in which influence is taken through force and intimidation, and Prestige, in which influence is freely granted to those whose shared expertise earns others' respect. The authors report that both routes are effective, concluding that dominance and prestige are distinct yet viable strategies for ascending the social hierarchy rather than a single ladder. ^[1]

Why it matters here

Manosphere discourse often frames social rank around a single "alpha" hierarchy, in which men are ranked on one dominance-based ladder. This research complicates that picture by showing that status can be attained through two separate mechanisms, and that prestige — respect earned through competence rather than coercion — is a viable route to the top in its own right. That distinction is directly relevant to how "alpha" status is described and to whether a one-dimensional ranking of men reflects the evidence. See do alpha males exist?.