Summary of “Situational Stratification: A Micro-Macro Theory of Inequality” by Randall Collins

Retrieved through reading @bothhayn10:

“Collins’s (2000, pp. 29–33) conception of deference as inherently local and situational points to another predetermined limitation on the Matthew Effect. According to his theory, status accrual is particularly likely to occur in networks of individuals centered on a common base of specialized knowledge. Chances for growth in status are thus constrained by others’ inability to properly appreciate a (local) maven’s worth, and so high-status individuals are often confined to a finite base of focused admirers. According to Collins’s view, the pre-existing opportunity structure for status growth is often deeply fragmented and thus dead-ended. Consequently, according to this account, as in Merton’s and Luhmann’s, a predetermined factor counteracts the Matthew Effect.” (Bothner et al. 2010, 83)

This was cited as an effort to show previous work on the boundary conditions for the Matthew Effect. Interestingly (from this citation, at least), Collins seems to think that the fragmentation of the opportunity means that Matthew Effects will be muted. Indeed, we find corroborating evidence that there is little import from outside the field for neighborhoods–we assume this means that the bulk of the supra-normal attention HHMIs receive post-appointment is due to taking the oxygen out of the local domain. What we contribute is a view of the consequences for those other than the Matthews.

Summary

I found most of the article less useful for my purposes. Generally, Collins argues that we need to be more attentive to the microsituational context: for example, economic class may not be as relevant for status as social groups.

References