Chapter Seven: Affiliation and Friendship

When people become preoccupied with their social standing and reputation, they will be more likely to partake in the actions of kissing up to high status and kissing off stigmatic associations. When someone kisses up to high status, they associate themselves with a person who has things that they wish to have, such as power, money, and respect. And by "kissing up" to that person, they too can have those things. Conversely, when a person kisses off stigmatic associations, they get rid of preexisting acquaintances because they are reflecting poorly on them (Kenrick, 242-3).

This clip from The Daily Show is an example of how politicians, namely Clinton in this case, get rid of people on their staff (or have them "resign") who are embarrassing to them. In the case of Obama, this clip shows him possibly distancing himself from former friends who are doing the same. This is an example of kissing off stigmatic associations. In the case of politicians, their personal image is most likely more important than maintaining balance with their associations and sense of self. Maintaining the balance between associations and sense of self is the main reason why most people do not associate with people who would potentially reflect badly on them. Someone like a politician is more concerned with their social status, and therefore may be more likely to do this than the average person.

The "friendships" or acquaintances that politicians like Clinton and Obama most likely engage in social exchange relationships. These relationships are based on equity, or costs and benefits, and when the costs outweigh the benefits, the acquaintance is broken. This is shown in the case of Ferraro and Clinton.





This political cartoon shows how Obama is kissing up to Oprah's high status to possibly try to gain more votes, most likely women. He is associating himself with the "image" of Oprah, which is an image connected with success, helping people, and with reaching out to those in need. By associating himself with her, he may be able to get what he wants much easier in terms of votes, possible donations, and press coverage. His affiliation with Oprah most likely also has a lot to do with impression motivation, because Barack Obama is trying to put a certain impression of himself out there for the voters to take in, and it is one that involves compassion and determination, two qualities which Oprah possesses.