Status and performance

[Blind groper]

Reference :New Scientist, 20 June 2015, page 41

How we perform in social situations is dependent on how we perceive our status in that social grouping.

A simple measure of social confidence is how long you talk when asked to make an impromptu speech. Those who feel they are of higher status talk longer. Women generally talk for shorter periods than men, but if a large photo of a powerful woman is prominently displayed, the woman will talk longer.

In the same way, when a person feels of higher status, other people are more likely to rate them highly in situations such as an interview. There are lots of tricks for boosting your self image regarding status. Like standing in a 'macho' way. Imagining yourself to be powerful. Being exposed to words that carry connotations of power and strength.

On the other hand, your measured performance drops if exposed to negative stereotypes. Black people doing a test who are told it is a test of intellectual ability will perform less well than if not told that. Women exposed to gender stereotypes do less well on maths tests.

So how do you rate yourself? Do you have any special tricks to boost your self image before a vital interview or before giving a talk? Tell me your secrets.

[jamest]

I usually just get my dick out.

[jamest]

Sorry, that was obviously a joke. Let the serious stuff continue...

[laklak]

Depends on the situation. With strippers and hookers throwing a few C notes around usually does the trick. Or pays for it.

[laklak]

That actually wasn't a joke, try it sometime.

[DaveDodo007]

The New Scientist is doing pop psychology now.

[cronus]

So does that mean motor-mouths will inherit the Earth?

[Brian Peacock]

So how do you rate yourself? Do you have any special tricks to boost your self image before a vital interview or before giving a talk? Tell me your secrets.

My 'secret' is that I don't really give much of a toss. I reckon that what drives most social interactions is not power or sex, but the impulse to avoid small embarrassments. If you're unembarrassable then it's easier to operate in whatever company or without bothering about getting others to like you. This mostly comes with age and experience and knowing yourself, and liking yourself, and in Jim's case, gin.

[Brian Peacock]

I usually just get my dick out.

Yeah, giving others an opportunity to laugh at our misfortunes and foibles is a social lubricant as well.

[rainbow]

So how do you rate yourself? Do you have any special tricks to boost your self image before a vital interview or before giving a talk? Tell me your secrets.

My 'secret' is that I don't really give much of a toss. I reckon that what drives most social interactions is not power or sex, but the impulse to avoid small embarrassments.

That is just so English.

[pErvinalia]

The New Scientist is doing pop psychology now.

It's been nothing but a sensationalism machine for many years now.

Anyway, I'm so arrogant I don't even need to imagine anything to feel of higher status to everyone. I just be myself..

[Sean Hayden]

[JimC]

The New Scientist is doing pop psychology now.

It's been nothing but a sensationalism machine for many years now.

Anyway, I'm so arrogant I don't even need to imagine anything to feel of higher status to everyone. I just be myself..

Don't dis my New Scientist!

It at least keeps one up to date via the small, science news oriented articles; if there are the occasional sensationalised bits, they can be easily ignored.

Its purchase is an important tax deduction for all us science teachers!

[rainbow]

The New Scientist is doing pop psychology now.

It's been nothing but a sensationalism machine for many years now.

Anyway, I'm so arrogant I don't even need to imagine anything to feel of higher status to everyone. I just be myself..

Don't dis my New Scientist!

Should be called Scientist Lite.
The journal that only helps if your friends are more ignorant than you are.

Sorry I thought I was on the abuse thread.