Researcher: Lori Rodenhiser

Background: Previous research indicates that bistrategic resource control (i.e., high coercive and prosocial strategies) is associated with prestige-related concepts, such as popularity. Prestige has also been associated with ambition, and ambitious individuals may share personality traits similarly aligned with bistrategic control. However, little is known about bistrategic control in university students and its association with prestige and ambition. The study purpose was to examine whether bistrategic control strategies are associated with prestige and ambition.

Method: Participants were 616 university students between ages 18-25 (M = 20.34, SD = 1.92). Participants completed an online survey.

Results: Results showed that the positive association between prosocial strategies and prestige was stronger for students who were high in coercive strategies (i.e., bistrategic). Similarly, prosocial strategies were positively associated with ambition, but only when levels of coercive strategies were also high (i.e., bistrategic).

Conclusion: These findings suggest that bistrategic resource control aligns with prestige and ambition among university students.