Dominance

Dominance is the state or condition of being the most powerful, influential, or controlling element within a system. The term is used across biology, psychology, sociology, economics, and linguistics to describe a relative superiority that affects relationships, outcomes, and access to resources. Dominance is context-dependent and does not imply universal superiority; it can vary with environment, time, and social structure. The concept is often contrasted with submission, minority influence, or equality.

In genetics, dominance describes how alleles at a gene locus influence phenotype. A dominant allele confers a trait when present in one or two copies, while a recessive allele expresses only when paired with another recessive allele. Modes include complete dominance, incomplete dominance (blend), and codominance (both traits expressed). Dominance is not a measure of an allele’s overall "value" but its expression in a given genetic background and environment.

In social animals and humans, dominance refers to a stable hierarchy or leadership role that affords greater access to mates, food, or space. Dominance can be established through display, aggression, or coalition-building and can be maintained without continuous coercion. Critics note that dominance hierarchies are often fluid and influenced by kinship, age, and context, not simply by brute force.

In economics and game theory, a dominant strategy yields a better outcome regardless of others’ choices. In ecology, a dominant species is most abundant or influential in shaping community structure. Analysts stress that dominance is a descriptive label, not a judgment, and that power dynamics are complex, multidimensional, and sometimes asymmetrical or transient.