THE EFFECTS OF STATUS ON GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE

Abstract
Reaction time performance was examined in a group setting. Members were to react quickly enough to prevent a failure signal from appearing. The latter was controlled by E, appearing according to a fixed schedule. The extent of success depended on the status of the successful members, high status members being able to contribute more points to the total than low status members. Status distinctions were introduced following practice. After each experimental block members privately voted on desired status changes. On the first four experimental blocks, individual success was scheduled to produce an optimum fit between an occupant's performance and that deemed appropriate to his status. After block four discrepancies were induced between apparent and appropriate performance. (1) Introduction of status distinctions produced a general decrease in RT. (2) Later performance changes depended on the direction and extent of the discrepancy between appropriate and apparent success. RT decreased when success became less frequent than that appropriate for the status. RT increased when success became more frequent than appropriate. (3) When a persistent discrepancy led the group to change a member's status, performance changes followed: an increase in status reduced RT; a reduction in status increased RT.

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