Most of the numerous studies on social status over the last decade have focused on how individual characteristics influence status attainment and effects, while much less research has examined the role of context in status dynamics. Given how important and pervasive contextual values are in all types of status hierarchies and all aspects of social life, studies on contextual influences are crucial. In order to spur more research on this critical factor, we review existing theories and empirical findings on the antecedents and effects of social status and closely inspect the untested underlying assumptions of the most prominent theory in status research: the functionalist perspective. We aim to expand the functionalist perspective by incorporating the importance of context and proposing the contextual value perspective. We discuss the different influences of cooperative versus competitive relationships—as an example of contextual factors—on status conferral and experience. We also examine the implications of the contextual value perspective for new and promising directions in status research.

在过去的十年中，许多关于社会地位的研究都集中在个人特征如何影响地位的获得和影响上，而很少有研究研究背景在地位动态中的作用。考虑到语境价值在所有类型的地位等级和社会生活的各个方面中多么重要和普遍，研究语境影响至关重要。为了激发对这一关键因素的更多研究，我们回顾了有关社会地位的前因和影响的现有理论和实证研究结果，并密切考察了地位研究中最杰出的理论（功能主义观点）的未经检验的基本假设。我们旨在通过纳入上下文的重要性并提出上下文价值观点来扩展功能主义观点。我们将讨论合作关系与竞争关系的不同影响（以情境因素为例）对地位授予和经验的影响。我们还研究了情境价值观点对状态研究中新的有希望的方向的影响。