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<p>This is a question that comes up alot on this board. One way to start addressing it is by [url=<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priming_(psychology)]priming[/url”>Priming (psychology) - Wikipedia]priming[/url</a>] the thought process with the observations of famed biologist [url=<a href=“Center for the Study of Complex Systems | U-M LSA”>Center for the Study of Complex Systems | U-M LSA]Darcy</a> Thompson](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1065316323-post1.html]#1[/url”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1065316323-post1.html):</p>
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<p>In essence, we have/share a dynamic/concept of ‘prestige’ as a result of evolutionary processes. In a cultural context, beliefs/notions/concepts like ‘prestige’ are considered [memes[/url</a>]. Be mindful that just because an evolutionary dyanmic can be identified, one can’t jump to the conclusion that it’s a dynamic that confers an evolutionary benefit/advantage. Evolution is a process of error (mutation/potential beneficial and/or harmful adaptation) followed by a trial/test in the environmet to determine if the new strategy/mutation is advantageous. </p>
<p>What’s considered ‘prestigous’ is actually a very important question from a social psychology point of view. The research paper, [url=<a href=“http://www2.psych.ubc.ca/~henrich/Website/Papers/hen&gil.pdf]The”>http://www2.psych.ubc.ca/~henrich/Website/Papers/hen&gil.pdf]The</a> Evolution of Prestige: 'Freely conferred deference as a mechanism for enhancing the benefits of cultural transmission](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meme]memes[/url”>Meme - Wikipedia)’ demonstrates the the question can be looked at dispassionately and with rigor. Another example is the recently published book by Yale psychologist Paul Bloom, [‘How</a> Pleasure Works: The New Science of Why We Like What We Like’](<a href=“http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128220369]'How”>Book Review: 'How Pleasure Works' By Paul Bloom - 'The Secret To Pleasure? Mind Over Matter' : NPR).</p>
<p>‘Prestige’ is a psychological/social dynamic that communicates information. A related area of study can be found in economics is [Economic</a> Signaling](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signalling_(economics)]Economic”>Signalling (economics) - Wikipedia). Studies in this area have resulted in Nobel prizes for detailing the dynamic of [Information</a> Asymmetry](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_asymmetry]Information”>Information asymmetry - Wikipedia).</p>
<p>A rigorous education from any institution of higher learning, prestigous or not, will hopefully offer the student/scholar the tools to tackle tough questions like ‘what is prestige’. </p>
<p>Final food for thought from [‘What’s</a> a Liberal Arts Education Really Worth?’](<a href=“http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/look-it-way/201004/whats-liberal-arts-education-really-worth]'What’s”>What's a Liberal Arts Education Really Worth? | Psychology Today):</p>
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