More Status

I must be obsessed or something - a bit more on status today - which I hope will be useful for those teaching or studying the topic.

Here’s a quote from Jonny Wilkinson’s book (written with his coach Steve Black) - this is about Wilkinson’s feelings on being selected to play for England:

“I had a new status; although I tried not to involve myself in all the fuss, deep down I couldn’t help it. It was the front of the queue syndrome and maybe I actually believed I warranted the special treatment. I am loath to admit it but I guess I formed a new understanding in my values which told me I was suddenly more significant than others.”

Tackling Life, p107.

Sport is one way of gaining success in life. Can you identify other means of attaining status? Do you believe that high status often makes individuals who have it, feel as Wilkinson remarks, that they deserve it? Finally, what about those who do not gain or achieve high status - how will this influence their self-image, their perception of themselves and their social identity?