Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Hierarchies in psychology refer to systems where individuals or concepts are ranked one above another based on specific criteria.
Related terms
Dominance Hierarchy: A form of social hierarchy that arises when members of animal social groups interact, often aggressively, creating a ranking system.
Maslow's Hierarchy Of Needs: A motivational theory comprising a five-tier model of human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid.
Hierarchy Processing Effects: Cognitive processes that occur when perception takes place from global features before local details.