Status cues and the formation of expectations

Abstract

This paper presents an elaboration and formalization of the theory of nonverbal cues and status ( Berger et al., 1986; Ridgeway et al., 1985) which is a theory within the expectation states theoretical research program. This elaboration and formalization also integrates the theory of nonverbal cues and status with the theory of status characteristics and expectation states ( Berger et al., 1977). The concepts of weak and strong cue gestalts generated by status cues, and a new kind status typification, that of apparent competence–incompetence, are introduced. The results of four experiments conducted in the Nemeth and Wachtler (1974) situation, and four experiments conducted in the standardized experimental situation of expectation states theory are examined and shown to be consistent with the formulation. Thus a more complete mathematical formulation of status organizing processes which now includes status cue processes as well as the processes formalized earlier, that is, status characteristics processes, behavior-expectation processes, and communicated evaluation processes has been obtained.