prestige

Prestige is the level of respect, esteem, or influence accorded to a person or group within a society. It represents a form of social status that can transfer between contexts and may coexist with or be independent of wealth, power, or formal position. Prestige is often tied to achievements, credentials, occupations, or affiliations with esteemed institutions, and it can vary across cultures and historical periods.

Etymology and sense: The word prestige entered English via French prestige, ultimately from Latin praestigium meaning deception or trick. Historically it carried notions of illusion or magical sway; in modern usage it more commonly denotes influence, esteem, or social standing.

In sociology, prestige denotes social esteem attached to a person or group. It interacts with class, occupation, education, and cultural capital, and can shape access to opportunities and social networks. It is distinct from economic wealth or coercive power, though the three can be correlated. Cross-cultural research shows wide variation in what attributes confer prestige. A related idea, prestige bias, describes the tendency to imitate or learn from individuals who are perceived as more prestigious.

In popular culture, The Prestige is a 2006 film directed by Christopher Nolan, based on Christopher Priest's 1995 novel. It tells of rival stage magicians in Victorian London and explores themes of deception, sacrifice, and the ethics of spectacle.

In marketing, prestige can refer to the strategy of prestige pricing or to the marketing of prestige or luxury goods, where high price signals quality and exclusivity. The concept is linked to the broader notion of status signaling in consumer behavior.