This paper reviews theory and research on status organizing processes, which are processes in which evaluations of and beliefs about the characteristics of actors lead to observable inequalities in face-to-face social interaction. A key concept is the status characteristic, any characteristic around which evaluations and beliefs about actors are organized. Examples include age, sex, race, education, occupation, physical attractiveness, intelligence, and reading ability. The paper reviews the current state of theory, relevant research, applied research on sex, race, and physical attractiveness, and interventions to reduce negative consequences of these processes. The phenomenon is most commonly observed in problem-solving groups where members differ in status characteristics significant in society. These groups maintain external status differences internally. Bales (1950) found that groups of strangers who were initially equal in status developed inequalities in participation, evaluation, and influence. These inequalities formed a stable power-prestige order, self-reinforcing and dependent on prior beliefs and evaluations. The paper presents an "expectation-states" perspective, where expectations about future performance arise from task-related interaction. These expectations determine subsequent interaction, maintaining the power-prestige order. Expectation-states are properties of relations, not individuals, and are socially constructed. The theory argues that status characteristics are general, and that sex and race, often treated as distinct phenomena, share fundamental properties with other characteristics like physical attractiveness. The theory explains how status characteristics become salient through paths of task relevance, connecting actors to the task. The burden of proof process assumes that status characteristics are relevant unless proven otherwise. Paths of relevance vary in length, with shorter paths having stronger effects. The theory also describes how multiple status characteristics are combined, leading to aggregated expectation-states. Research supports the theory, showing that sex, race, and physical attractiveness are status characteristics. Evidence includes differential evaluations, expectations, and behaviors based on these characteristics. For example, males are often evaluated more positively, and females are more likely to yield to influence. Race also leads to differential evaluations and behaviors, with stereotypes influencing perceptions and outcomes. The paper concludes that status characteristics are general and that the theory applies to various phenomena, including sex, race, and physical attractiveness. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these processes in social interactions and the need for interventions to reduce their negative consequences.This paper reviews theory and research on status organizing processes, which are processes in which evaluations of and beliefs about the characteristics of actors lead to observable inequalities in face-to-face social interaction. A key concept is the status characteristic, any characteristic around which evaluations and beliefs about actors are organized. Examples include age, sex, race, education, occupation, physical attractiveness, intelligence, and reading ability. The paper reviews the current state of theory, relevant research, applied research on sex, race, and physical attractiveness, and interventions to reduce negative consequences of these processes. The phenomenon is most commonly observed in problem-solving groups where members differ in status characteristics significant in society. These groups maintain external status differences internally. Bales (1950) found that groups of strangers who were initially equal in status developed inequalities in participation, evaluation, and influence. These inequalities formed a stable power-prestige order, self-reinforcing and dependent on prior beliefs and evaluations. The paper presents an "expectation-states" perspective, where expectations about future performance arise from task-related interaction. These expectations determine subsequent interaction, maintaining the power-prestige order. Expectation-states are properties of relations, not individuals, and are socially constructed. The theory argues that status characteristics are general, and that sex and race, often treated as distinct phenomena, share fundamental properties with other characteristics like physical attractiveness. The theory explains how status characteristics become salient through paths of task relevance, connecting actors to the task. The burden of proof process assumes that status characteristics are relevant unless proven otherwise. Paths of relevance vary in length, with shorter paths having stronger effects. The theory also describes how multiple status characteristics are combined, leading to aggregated expectation-states. Research supports the theory, showing that sex, race, and physical attractiveness are status characteristics. Evidence includes differential evaluations, expectations, and behaviors based on these characteristics. For example, males are often evaluated more positively, and females are more likely to yield to influence. Race also leads to differential evaluations and behaviors, with stereotypes influencing perceptions and outcomes. The paper concludes that status characteristics are general and that the theory applies to various phenomena, including sex, race, and physical attractiveness. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these processes in social interactions and the need for interventions to reduce their negative consequences.