ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the distinctions between status, dominance and power. Status in humans is closely tied up with social roles and functions. Hill provided an interesting discussion on the relationship between altruism and status which aptly captures the social domain of recognition and positive social attention holding. The use of altruism and reassurance which inhibits power competitiveness is a biosocial strategy which has major advantages over power competitiveness. Parents can help to reduce competitiveness between siblings by making "special time" available to each one. Power leaders tend to operate in the hostile domain. Their primary concern is egocentric, egotistical, self-protective and power oriented. The chapter explores the interactional nature of sexuality and how it relates to biosocial goals of power-dominance, self-esteem and other psychological processes. It also reviews the relationship of male dominance behaviour to the female propensity to allow or disallow access.
