Superior (hierarchy)

Position at a higher level in the hierarchy

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In a hierarchy or tree structure of any kind, a superior is an individual or position at a higher level in the hierarchy than another (a "subordinate" or "inferior"), and thus closer to the apex.[1]

## General

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A superior generally has the power to approve or deny requests from subordinates, within the scope of the relevant organization. The superior may control the careers of subordinates; for instance, they may have the authority to give raises or promotions.[2]

Superiors are given sometimes supreme authority over others under their command. When an order is given, one must follow that order and obey it or punishment may be issued.[citation needed]

## By organization

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Superiors in different organizations may have different titles, roles, and responsibilities.

### Business

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In business, superiors are people who are supervisors.

### Military

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In the military, superiors are people who are higher in the chain of command (superior officer).

### Catholic Church

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Further information: Hierarchy of the Catholic Church

A religious superior is the person to whom a cleric is immediately responsible under canon law. For monks, it would be the abbot (or the abbess for nuns); for friars, it would be the prior, or, for Franciscans, the guardian (custos), for Minims, the corrector; for diocesan priests, it would be the local bishop. In religious orders with a hierarchy above the local community, there will also be superiors general and possibly provincial superiors above the local abbot, prior, or mother superior. The priest in charge a mission sui iuris is called an ecclesiastical superior.

## See also

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Look up Superior in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

* Seniority

## References

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1. ^ "Understanding Social Hierarchies: The Neural and Psychological Foundations of Status Perception". National Library Of Medicine.
2. ^ Thompson, Victor A. (1961). "Hierarchy, Specialization, and Organizational Conflict". Administrative Science Quarterly. 5 (4): 485–521\. doi:10.2307/2390618. ISSN 0001-8392. JSTOR 2390618. Retrieved 1 February 2024.

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