10 behaviors characteristic of people with low status

Get rid of these habits if you do not want to be considered a person of low social status.




Social status is the invisible currency of the modern world. It determines not only how we are perceived by others, but also affects career opportunities, personal relationships and overall quality of life. Research in social psychology shows that up to 93% of first impressions are formed within the first seven seconds of dating, and our behavioral patterns play a large role in this.


It's important to understand: Status is not about money or origin. It’s about how you behave, how you communicate, and how much energy you radiate. Many successful people started from the bottom up, but were able to change their behavior and thinking.


Psychology of Status: Why It Matters

Dr. Robert Sapolsky of Stanford University in his research proved that social status directly affects stress levels, health and life expectancy. People with higher perceived status live longer, get less sick and have more opportunities for self-actualization.

Key point: Status is not a fixed characteristic. This is a dynamic process that can be changed by working on yourself and your habits.


10 Behavioral Patterns of Low Status

1st
Persistent apologies without cause
The phrase “sorry” every two minutes signals self-doubt. A University of Waterloo study found that women apologize 52% more often than men, often reducing their perceived authority in business situations.
What to do: Replace "sorry" with "thank you." Instead of “Sorry for being late,” say “Thank you for waiting.” This shifts the focus from negative to positive.




2.
Insecure speech with multiple reservations
"Maybe," "maybe," "I think" -- these parasitic words undermine your authority. Linguistic studies show that the use of such structures reduces confidence in the speaker by 40%.
Practical advice: Write yourself down during conversations and count the number of uncertain constructs. Gradually replace them with affirmative forms.






3
Closed posture and avoiding eye contact
Psychologist Amy Cuddy at Harvard has proven that posture affects not only how others perceive us, but also our own hormone levels. Closed postures reduce testosterone and increase cortisol, a stress hormone.
Star Pose Technique: Every morning for 2 minutes stand in the position of a superhero - legs shoulder wide, arms on a belt or raised up. This increases confidence throughout the day.




4.
A constant desire to please everyone
Paradox: the more you try to like, the less attractive you seem. A University of Arizona study found that people who always agree are perceived as less competent.
Rule 70/30: In 70% of cases, agree, in 30% – have your own opinion and defend it. This creates an image of a thinking person.




5
Excessive talkativeness due to nervousness
Silence scares people with low status. They fill the pauses with unnecessary words, which gives the impression of fuss and uncertainty. In negotiations, those who talk less often find themselves in a better position.
Golden pause technique: After the interlocutor has finished speaking, count to three before answering. This gives your words more weight.




6
Failure to refuse
A constant “yes” devalues your time and energy. Successful people understand that every yes to one cause means no to ten other opportunities.
Buffer time method: Answer any request: “Let me think until tomorrow.” This time will help to make an informed decision, rather than impulsively agree.






7
Belittling your own achievements
“I was just lucky”, “It was a team work” – such phrases devalue your success. Studies show that people who don’t accept compliments are perceived as less successful.
The formula for accepting praise: "Thank you + concrete fact." For example, “Thank you, I really spent a lot of time researching this.”




8.
Constant complaints and negativity
A person who constantly complains creates an energy vacuum around him. Neuropsychologists have found that negativity is literally “contagious” – it activates mirror neurons and is transmitted to others.
The 3 to 1 rule: For every negative thought or statement, find three positive aspects of the situation. This reprograms your brain to think constructively.




9.
Disrespect for your own time
Persistent lateness, inability to plan, agreeing to appointments at uncomfortable times all signal that you don’t value yourself. Punctuality is a form of respect not only for others but also for oneself.
The buffer time system: Plan your arrival 10-15 minutes early. This creates a sense of control and reduces stress.




10.
Absence of boundaries in communication
Low-status people often let others interrupt themselves, ignore their opinions, or behave disrespectfully. This creates a vicious cycle – the less respect you have for yourself, the less respect others have for you.
Soft hardness technique: “I understand your point of view, and I want to finish my thought” – this phrase allows you to defend borders without creating conflict.




The scientific basis for change

Neuroplasticity of the brain allows you to change behavioral patterns at any age. Dr. Norman Doidge, in his work Brain Plasticity, showed that it takes an average of 66 days of continuous practice to form a new habit.

Change strategy: Choose one behavior from the list and work with it for a month. Only after fixing move on to the next one. Trying to change everything immediately leads to a breakdown.


Long-term effects of changes

A Harvard Business School study of 10,000 MBA graduates over 20 years showed an interesting pattern: the greatest career success was not achieved by those who had the best grades, but by those who showed high emotional intelligence and confident behavior.

Changes in behavioral patterns affect not only external perception, but also internal state. Self-esteem increases, the quality of relationships improves, and new opportunities open up.

Conclusion
Status is not an innate quality, but the result of conscious work on yourself. Every day we make a choice: stay in our comfort zone or move to the best version of ourselves. Change starts small, but its impact can change your life.
Start right now. Choose one habit from the list and work on it for the next 30 days. Your future self will thank you.


Glossary
Social status
The position of the individual in the social hierarchy, which determines his prestige, influence and access to resources in society.


Behavioral patterns
Persistent patterns of behavior that repeat in similar situations and form an impression of the individual.


Emotional intelligence
The ability to understand, use, and manage one’s emotions, and to understand others’ emotions.


Neuroplasticity
The ability of the brain to change its structure and function in response to experience, learning, and changes in behavior.


Mirror neurons
Nerve cells that are activated both when performing an action and when observing the same action in others.


cortisol
Stress hormone, which is produced by the adrenal glands in response to stressful situations.


Testosterone
A hormone associated with confidence, dominance, and social status in both men and women.