A Recast Framework for Welfare Deservingness Perceptions.

Area of Science:

• Social and Political Sciences
• Sociology
• Public Policy

Background:

• Societal debates on inequality and social protection often hinge on perceptions of deservingness.
• Existing research on the determinants of deservingness perceptions faces challenges due to ambiguous theoretical frameworks.
• Ambiguous definitions lead to inconsistent operationalizations and hinder cross-study comparability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the ambiguity in the central theoretical framework of deservingness research.
• To redefine the core concepts and criteria for perceived deservingness.
• To demonstrate the empirical implications of a refined framework for understanding deservingness perceptions.

Main Methods:

• Engaged with the central theoretical framework in deservingness research.
• Redefined the criteria for perceived deservingness.
• Conducted original vignette survey experiments in Germany and the United States in 2019.

Main Results:

• Identified and clarified the key criteria that drive deservingness perceptions.
• Demonstrated how a redefined framework improves empirical research.
• Provided a clearer understanding of the factors influencing how individuals perceive deservingness.

Conclusions:

• The redefinition of deservingness criteria enhances theoretical clarity and empirical rigor.
• The findings offer a more comparable and robust basis for future research on social inequality and protection.
• This work contributes to a better understanding of public opinion on social welfare and resource allocation.