Equating characteristics and status-organizing processes

After three decades of research, it remains unclear whether actors use equa l status information in status-generalizing processes. In this article we u se the graph-theoretic interpretation of status-characteristic theory to ex amine the question. The analysis suggests that equating information can pro duce substantial changes in individual expectations for actors differentiat ed on one or more status characteristics. Sizable changes in expectations, however, produce only very small effects on behavior as measured by the pro bability of self-responses or P(S). The analysis shows that stable P(S) val ues are consistent with both the use of equal-status information and the fa ilure to use such information. We conclude with a discussion of theoretical and practical implications of the findings and suggestions for further res earch.