We are more motivated than we think by ascending social hierarchies. At the same time this is our blindspot and we don’t view ourselves this way.
Extensive look at this dynamic is presented in the Elephant in the Brain
In primatology, when we talk about primates, almost everything is viewed through a perspective of a hierarchy in the group. In social sciences, when we talk about humans, hierarchy is rarely ever mentioned🏅🏅🏅 ~Frans de Wall
Why this is hidden:
If we would believe we are a lot more motivated by climbing social hierarchies it would be harder for us to be effective at this task e.g. when we are helping somebody, going to school to acquire prestige