Individuals often espouse egalitarian ideals, yet social hierarchies
and their inherent inequality are ubiquitous in human societies. We
propose that one reason this occurs is because hierarchies can fulfil
psychological needs for structure and order that are elicited when
personal control is low (Kay et al., 2008)—even for subordinate
positions that lack power or status. In 4 studies we demonstrate that
hierarchical inequality can compensate for low personal control via
the structure it provides. After personal control threats,
participants preferred more hierarchy in their own workplaces and
found hierarchy-enhancing occupations more appealing. We also show
that hierarchies are control-restoring: Being in a hierarchical
workplace was associated with increased occupational certainty and
self-efficacy. These effects occurred even for individuals in lower
positions in the hierarchy. We discuss how disadvantaged individuals
may be unwilling to question social hierarchies that justify
inequality if those hierarchies are serving unmet psychological needs
for structure.