Social Dominance Orientation Scale
Social Dominance Orientation Scale (SDO) · Also known as: SDO
The Social Dominance Orientation Scale (SDO) is a self-report measure developed by Pratto, Sidanius, Stallworth, and Malle in 1994 to assess individual differences in preference for group-based hierarchy and inequality. The scale measures the extent to which individuals support dominance of some groups over others, reject egalitarianism, and accept hierarchical social organization. It has become central to social dominance theory and is widely used in political psychology and intergroup relations research.
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When to use it
Use the SDO scale in research on political attitudes, intergroup prejudice, support for inequality-promoting policies, and authoritarianism. Suitable for general adult populations, college students, and organizational samples. The scale is particularly valuable when investigating personality-based predictors of stereotyping, discrimination, and support for social hierarchy.
Strengths & limitations
- Captures theoretically important dimension of social attitudes grounded in social dominance theory
- Excellent internal consistency and test-retest reliability across populations
- Strong predictive validity for political attitudes, prejudice, and policy preferences
- Relatively brief (16 items) compared to comprehensive attitude measures
- May be subject to social desirability bias; some respondents may not openly endorse group dominance
- The 7-point scale may skew toward extreme responses in some populations
- Context and framing of items may influence responses depending on contemporary political climate
- Some items may be culturally specific regarding what constitutes 'dominance' or 'hierarchy'
Frequently asked
What is the difference between SDO and right-wing authoritarianism (RWA)?
SDO reflects preference for group-based hierarchy and inequality. RWA reflects deference to authority and adherence to conventional norms. Both predict conservatism but through different mechanisms. SDO individuals want to be 'on top'; RWA individuals want clear rules and authority.
Does high SDO mean someone is inherently prejudiced?
High SDO predicts greater prejudice toward lower-status groups, but SDO is a tendency or orientation, not an inevitable outcome. Context, specific targets of prejudice, and competing values can moderate this relationship. SDO provides probabilistic, not deterministic, predictions.
Can SDO scores change over time or in response to events?
While SDO is relatively stable as a trait, some research suggests it can shift modestly in response to major political or social events. Generally, SDO shows substantial stability across years, but individual circumstances and identity shifts may produce changes.
Is social dominance orientation universal across cultures?
The SDO scale has been validated in numerous countries and generally shows similar relationships with political attitudes and prejudice. However, the specific behavioral expression and institutional forms of hierarchy-seeking vary substantially across cultural contexts.
Sources
- Pratto, F., Sidanius, J., Stallworth, L. M., & Malle, B. F. (1994). Social Dominance Orientation: A personality variable predicting social and political attitudes. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67(4), 741–763. DOI: 10.1037/0022-3514.67.4.741 ↗
How to cite this page
ScholarGate. (2026, June 3). Social Dominance Orientation Scale (SDO). ScholarGate. https://scholargate.app/en/social-psychology/social-dominance-orientation-scale
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