status crystallization A term devised by the American sociologist Gerhard Lenski (see ‘Status Crystallization: A Non-Vertical Dimension of Status’, American Sociological Review , 1954
). Lenski argues that inconsistencies in status attributes lead to status ambiguity which in turn creates social tension. However, the concept itself does not refer to attitudes and expectations, but to the felt status incongruence. It was left to later writers (such as George Homans ) to take such notions as status crystallization and status integration, combine them with the concepts of relative deprivation and reference groups , and in this way show their relevance for broader debates ...