A Dual Model of Leadership and Hierarchy: Evolutionary Synthesis. Issue 11 (November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Van Vugt, Mark; Smith, Jennifer E.
• Is Part Of: Trends in cognitive sciences. Volume 23:Issue 11(2019)
• Page Start: 952
• Page End: 967
• Publication Date: 2019-11
• Subjects: leadership -- hierarchy -- evolution -- dominance -- prestige; Cognitive science -- Periodicals; Cognitive neuroscience -- Periodicals; 153.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2019.09.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-6613

Abstract

Abstract : From the popularity of authoritarian political leaders to the under-representation of women in boardrooms, leadership is an important theme in current human social affairs. Leadership is also a prominent research topic in the biological, social, and cognitive sciences. However, these active literatures have evolved somewhat independently and there is a need for synthesis. A comparative-evolutionary approach can integrate seemingly divergent perspectives by making a distinction between two leadership styles, prestige and dominance, that have contrasting expressions, functions, histories, and neural and developmental pathways. The distinction may help to resolve various scientific puzzles, such as: (i) opposing views on the different functions and expressions of leadership; (ii) the appeal of dominance-style leaders; and (iii) sex biases in leadership emergence in modern society. Highlights: Eastern and Western philosophers have long recognized the difference between prestige-style and dominance-style leaders. Leadership is an active research area in the social, cognitive, and biological sciences, but there has been limited synthesis among these fields. Recognition that there are two leader types can assist with this integration and generate new ideas for a comparative analysis. Dominance- and prestige-based hierarchies emerge early in development; children use a variety of social and physical cues to learn about different social hierarchies. Leadership is a crucial but under-recognized force in the evolution of human cooperation, aiding the transition from small-scale to large-scale societies. Current male-biased leadership systems result, in part, from evolved follower preferences for dominance-style leaders in the face of intense competition within and between groups.