Stress, Cortisol, and Social Hierarchy

We review the literature on the relationships between cortisol, stress and various forms of social status, concluding that cortisol (and stress) is typically elevated when one chronically lacks, or may soon lose, status. Moreover, cortisol is lower when status is higher as long as that status is stable, enhances one’s sense of control, and does not also substantially increase one’s responsibilities. Because cortisol is both an output (stress indicator) and input (cause of behavioral inhibition), this low cortisol may be both a cause and consequence of stable status. Altogether, the cortisol-status relationship depends not just on one’s status but on what that status means for the individual (e.g., How frequent and severe are stressors? Does one feel a sense of control? Does one need to be vigilant and deferential?).