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The Support for Economic Inequality Scale: Development and adjudication

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  • Dylan Wiwad
  • Brett Mercier
  • Michael D Maraun
  • Angela R Robinson
  • Paul K Piff
  • Lara B Aknin
  • Azim F Shariff

Abstract

Past research has documented myriad pernicious psychological effects of high economic inequality, prompting interest into how people perceive, evaluate, and react to inequality. Here we propose, refine, and validate the Support for Economic Inequality Scale (SEIS)–a novel measure of attitudes towards economic inequality. In Study 1, we distill eighteen items down to five, providing evidence for unidimensionality and reliability. In Study 2, we replicate the scale’s unidimensionality and reliability and demonstrate its validity. In Study 3, we evaluate a United States version of the SEIS. Finally, in Studies 4–5, we demonstrate the SEIS’s convergent and predictive validity, as well as evidence for the SEIS being distinct from other conceptually similar measures. The SEIS is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing perceptions of and reactions to economic inequality and provides a useful tool for researchers investigating the psychological underpinnings of economic inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Dylan Wiwad & Brett Mercier & Michael D Maraun & Angela R Robinson & Paul K Piff & Lara B Aknin & Azim F Shariff, 2019. "The Support for Economic Inequality Scale: Development and adjudication," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(6), pages 1-29, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0218685
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218685
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Howarth, David & Marteau, Theresa M. & Coutts, Adam P. & Huppert, Julian L. & Pinto, Pedro Ramos, 2019. "What do the British public think of inequality in health, wealth, and power?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 222(C), pages 198-206.
    2. Thomas Piketty & Emmanuel Saez, 2014. "Inequality in the long run," Post-Print halshs-01053609, HAL.
    3. Jacob Westfall & Tal Yarkoni, 2016. "Statistically Controlling for Confounding Constructs Is Harder than You Think," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(3), pages 1-22, March.
    4. repec:hal:pseose:halshs-01053609 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Engelhardt, Carina & Wagener, Andreas, 2014. "Biased Perceptions of Income Inequality and Redistribution," VfS Annual Conference 2014 (Hamburg): Evidence-based Economic Policy 100395, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    6. Easton, David, 1975. "A Re-assessment of the Concept of Political Support," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 5(4), pages 435-457, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Granja, Cintia Denise & Carneiro, Ana Maria, 2021. "Attitudes towards inequality in Brazil: An analysis of a highly unequal country," MERIT Working Papers 2021-009, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    2. Shai Davidai & Daniela Goya-Tocchetto & M. Asher Lawson, 2024. "Economic segregation is associated with reduced concerns about economic inequality," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.

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