The Impact of Status Differences on Gatekeeping: A Theoretical Bridge

• In Event: 538 - Section on Mathematical Sociology Paper Session. Advancements in Mathematical Theory: Group Processes and Interaction

Abstract

Gatekeepers control access to benefits which they do not own. When granted access, their clients incur obligations which may take the form of fees. This paper extends previous theoretical work on gatekeeping to status-differentiated relations by jointly applying two theories. Network Exchange Theory (NET) models the gatekeeper–client relation and Status Characteristics Theory (SCT) models the impact of status differences on that relation. The result is three sets of theoretical predictions for experimental investigation. The first set predicts the effects of status influence as it works in the gatekeeper – client relation. The second predicts the effect of inflated or deflated status value of the access on the fees paid by clients. The third set predicts the joint effect of status influence and status value when there are status differences in both gatekeeper – client and client – object relations.

Author

• Mamadi Corra, East Carolina University