a ranking of group individuals. High ranking individuals typically have greater access to resources than lower.

Systems of social stratification and social control based on physical or economic power, or political or religious legitimacy. In large scale societies there can be gender, class, age, race, and ethnic dominance hierarchies.

A social order developed by animals that live in groups by which certain individuals gain status and exert power over others. See also alpha male.

Primate societies usually have hierarchies-each adult member has a rank. Both males and females have dominance hierarchies. They vary in stability and linearity.

ranking system or pecking order among members of a long-term social group, where dominance status affects access to resources or mates