Why the belief in meritocracy is so pervasive

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Behavioral Economics
• Sociology

Background:

• Widespread belief in meritocracy exists globally.
• Societies are often less meritocratic than perceived.
• This belief impacts social and economic policies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cognitive underpinnings of the belief in meritocracy.
• To explain why the myth of meritocracy is so pervasive.
• To propose methods for challenging this belief and fostering support for equity.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical analysis of causal intuitions.
• Review of existing empirical evidence on meritocracy perception.
• Development of a framework for understanding belief persistence.

Main Results:

• Belief in meritocracy is sustained by simple, intuitive explanations of success and failure.
• These intuitive explanations override statistical realities of social mobility.
• The cognitive ease of these intuitions contributes to the myth's resilience.

Conclusions:

• Debunking the myth of meritocracy requires addressing intuitive biases.
• Interventions should focus on highlighting structural factors over individual effort.
• Promoting a more accurate understanding of societal fairness can increase support for equitable policies.