A human tendency to value expertise, not just sheer power, explains how some social hierarchies form
- Written by Thomas Morgan, Associate Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology, Institute of Human Origins, Arizona State University
Leaders can seem to emerge from the group naturally, based on their skill and expertise.Hiraman/E+ via Getty ImagesBorn on the same day, Bill and Ben both grew up to have high status. But in every other way they were polar opposites.
As children, Bill was well-liked, with many friends, while Ben was a bully, picking on smaller kids. During...