The experience of deprivation: Does relative more than absolute status predict hostility?

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Sociology
• Behavioral Economics

Background:

• The theory of relative deprivation posits that individuals' subjective perceptions of their socioeconomic standing influence their psychological and behavioral responses.
• Understanding the interplay between absolute resources and social comparison is crucial for explaining phenomena like hostility and aggression in diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal relationship between absolute and relative status and their respective impacts on experienced deprivation and hostility.
• To determine whether subjective perceptions of being worse off (relative deprivation) are a stronger predictor of hostility than objective resource levels (absolute status).

Main Methods:

• Conducted three experimental studies manipulating participants' perceptions of absolute and relative status.
• Measured participants' experienced deprivation, aggressive affect, and aggressive behavior.
• Employed mediation analyses to explore the indirect pathways through which status influences aggressive behavior.

Main Results:

• Relative status demonstrated a more significant impact on aggressive affect compared to absolute status, even when objective resources were high.
• No consistent direct effects of status on aggressive behavior were observed.
• Mediation analyses indicated that relative deprivation influences aggressive behavior indirectly through increased feelings of disadvantage and aggressive affect.

Conclusions:

• Subjective social comparison (relative status) is a key driver of aggressive affect, irrespective of absolute resource levels.
• The findings underscore the significant societal consequences of rising income inequality, even in affluent nations.
• Addressing relative deprivation is crucial for mitigating aggression and promoting social well-being.