The power of status: What determines one's reactions to anger in a social situation?

The present study examined how social status and gender determine anger expression and behavioral reactions toward experienced anger. In two experiments, anger was induced in a staged social interaction. Behavioral anger reactions were judged by observers. In Experiment 1 (equal status condition; N=110) participants were provoked by a confederate, in Experiment 2 (low status condition; N=116) participants were provoked by the experimenter. We found that participants expressed their anger to a lesser extent, were less resistant, and engaged in submissive behaviors if they had a lower status than the anger-target. As expected, gender had a moderating effect: While women's anger reactions were affected by having a lower status than the anger-target, men's anger reactions were affected by low status only when interacting with a female anger-target. Our findings provide new evidence regarding behavioral reactions to anger. •Observer ratings of anger reactions were investigated in a staged social interaction.•Less Anger was expressed when individuals had a lower status than the anger-target.•More submissive behavior was shown when individuals had a lower status than the anger-target.•Women's anger reactions were affected by having a lower status than the anger-target.•Men's anger reactions were affected by low status when interacting with a female anger-target.