Dimensions of Social Status: Causal Predictors or Measurement Indicators?

• In Event: The Behavior of Pure Sociology: Past and Present

Abstract

Donald Black argues that social status includes five dimensions: vertical, radial, cultural, normative, and corporate. Should the dimensions of social status be treated as causal predictors? If so, the dimensions should compete for explanatory dominance in a regression model that predicts the quantity of law applied to a case. Or should the dimensions of social status be treated as measurement indicators? If so, the dimensions should be combined to measure overall social status, and overall social status should predict the quantity of law applied to a case. In this paper, I argue that both approaches are appropriate (depending on the research question). But I also recommend that researchers consider the advantages of focusing on overall social status. Doing so is consistent with the trajectory of Black’s work, reflects legal reality, allows the theory of law to be simplified, and produces strong empirical support for the theory of law. I demonstrate the final point using data on police behavior.

Author

• Scott Phillips, University of Denver