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Shifting attributions for poverty motivates opposition to inequality and enhances egalitarianism

Author

Listed:
  • Paul K. Piff

    (University of California)

  • Dylan Wiwad

    (Simon Fraser University)

  • Angela R. Robinson

    (University of California)

  • Lara B. Aknin

    (Simon Fraser University)

  • Brett Mercier

    (University of California)

  • Azim Shariff

    (University of British Columbia)

Abstract

Amidst rising economic inequality and mounting evidence of its pernicious social effects, what motivates opposition to inequality? Five studies (n = 34,442) show that attributing poverty to situational forces is associated with greater concern about inequality, preference for egalitarian policies and inequality-reducing behaviour. In Study 1, situational attributions for poverty were associated with reduced support for inequality across 34 countries. Study 2 replicated these findings with a nationally representative sample of Americans. Three experiments then tested whether situational attributions for poverty are malleable and motivate egalitarianism. Bolstering situational attributions for poverty through a writing exercise (Study 3) and a computer-based poverty simulation (Studies 4a and b) increased egalitarian action and reduced support for inequality immediately (Studies 3 and 4b), 1 d later and 155 d post-intervention (Study 4b). Causal attributions for poverty offer one accessible means of shaping inequality-reducing attitudes and actions. Situational attributions may be a potent psychological lever for lessening societal inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul K. Piff & Dylan Wiwad & Angela R. Robinson & Lara B. Aknin & Brett Mercier & Azim Shariff, 2020. "Shifting attributions for poverty motivates opposition to inequality and enhances egalitarianism," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 4(5), pages 496-505, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:4:y:2020:i:5:d:10.1038_s41562-020-0835-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-020-0835-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Alexander Libman & Olga Popova, 2023. "Children of Communism: Former Party Membership and the Demand for Redistribution," Eastern European Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 61(3), pages 199-237, May.
    2. Daniel Nettle & Elliott Johnson & Matthew Johnson & Rebecca Saxe, 2021. "Why has the COVID-19 pandemic increased support for Universal Basic Income?," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Abraham Aldama & Cristina Bicchieri & Jana Freundt & Barbara Mellers & Ellen Peters, 2021. "How perceptions of autonomy relate to beliefs about inequality and fairness," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(1), pages 1-16, January.
    4. Gassmann, Franziska & Timár, Eszter, 2024. "Perceived position on the social ladder and redistributive preferences – A survey experiment from the Kyrgyz Republic," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    5. Wright, Reilly & Aldama, Abraham, 2023. "Not all luck is created equal: Sources of income inequality and willingness to redistribute," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).

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