Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 20, 2026
08:24
The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies
Published on: August 25, 2023
1.2K
Social class and policy preferences: implications for economic inequality and interclass relations
1Department of Psychology, Social Sciences 2, University of California, Santa Cruz 95064, USA.
Current Opinion in Psychology
|October 20, 2017
Summary
Addressing income inequality requires progressive redistributive policies. Overcoming barriers like self-interest and stereotypes is key to building cross-class support for reducing class inequities.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Economics
- Public Policy
Background:
- Record income and wealth inequality exacerbate social class divisions.
- Progressive redistributive policies are essential for reducing class inequities but face significant barriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review class-based policy preferences and identify barriers to supporting redistributive policies.
- To examine the influence of economic self-interest, system justification, and stereotypes on policy support.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of social psychological research on policy preferences.
- Analysis of factors influencing support for redistributive policies, including economic conditions.
Main Results:
- Economic self-interest, system justification, and stereotypes (classist, racist, sexist) significantly impact support for redistributive policies.
- Broader economic conditions also play a role in shaping policy preferences.
Conclusions:
- Building cross-class support for redistributive policies necessitates addressing power differences and beliefs that justify inequality.
- Reducing stereotypes and fostering a shared sense of societal responsibility are crucial for advancing equity.
- Social psychological research is vital for informing strategies to overcome these barriers.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Close Relationships and Culture
260
Culture shapes how people approach attraction, choose partners, and build long-term relationships. While some preferences in mate selection appear consistent across cultures, such as men valuing physical attractiveness and women emphasizing financial resources, cultural contexts influence how these preferences are expressed and prioritized. Marriage extends beyond romantic ideals in many societies and is deeply embedded in social, economic, and religious frameworks.The Role of Culture in Mate...
260
01:19Impact of Groups on Groups
281
Social psychologists analyze how groups influence one another, shaping social structures and interactions through both cooperation and competition. These dynamics manifest in various ways, ranging from economic partnerships to intergroup conflicts that shape societal structures and perceptions.Cooperation and Competition in Intergroup RelationsIntergroup relationships vary across contexts, sometimes fostering cooperation and mutual benefit while at other times leading to conflict and...
281
01:26Equity Theory
323
Equity theory explains how our sense of fairness influences the dynamics of close relationships. Rooted in social psychology, the theory posits that individuals evaluate fairness by comparing the ratio of their contributions to the rewards they receive. Relationship satisfaction is highest when these ratios are perceived as balanced between partners, promoting mutual reciprocity and a sense of justice.Equity vs. Equality in RelationshipsEquity is distinct from equality. Fairness does not...
323
01:29Social Psychology and Individual Behavior
359
Social psychology examines how group dynamics, emotions, and cultural influences shape individual actions and decision-making. These elements interact to form behavioral patterns that affect personal choices and social interactions.The Role of Group DynamicsGroups play a crucial role in shaping behavior by reinforcing norms and expectations. Individuals derive a sense of self from group membership, often aligning their behaviors with group norms to maintain social cohesion. For example, an...
359
01:31In- and Out-Groups
43.8K
People all belong to a gender, race, age, and social economic group. These groups provide a powerful source of our identity and self-esteem (Tajfel & Turner, 1979) and serve as our in-groups. An in-group is a group that we identify with or see ourselves as belonging to.
43.8K
02:55Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
95.6K
Humans are very diverse and although we share many similarities, we also have many differences. The social groups we belong to help form our identities (Tajfel, 1974). These differences may be difficult for some people to reconcile, which may lead to prejudice toward people who are different. Prejudice is a negative attitude and feeling toward an individual based solely on one’s membership in a particular social group (Allport, 1954; Brown, 2010). Prejudice is common against people who...
95.6K