Abstract
Increasing economic inequality adversely affects groups with low socioeconomic status (low-SES). However, many people are opposed to wealth redistribution policies. In this context, we examined whether dehumanization of low-SES groups has a role in this opposition. In the first study (N = 303), opposition to wealth redistribution was related to denying human uniqueness (e.g., intelligence and rationality) and having negative attitudes toward low-SES groups, more than denying human nature (e.g., emotionality and capacity to suffer) to low-SES groups. Mediation analyses indicated that this effect occurred via blaming low-SES groups for their plight, after controlling for participants’ SES and negative attitudes towards low-SES groups. In the second study (N = 220), manipulating the human uniqueness of a fictitious low-SES group affected support for wealth redistribution measures through blame. These results indicate that animalizing low-SES groups reduces support for wealth redistribution via blaming low-SES groups for their situation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-14 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Group Processes and Intergroup Relations |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 31 May 2019 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Social Psychology
- Cultural Studies
- Communication
- Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
- Sociology and Political Science
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Less human, more to blame : Animalizing poor people increases blame and decreases support for wealth redistribution. / Sainz, Mario; Martínez, Rocío; Sutton, Robbie M.; Rodríguez-Bailón, Rosa; Moya, Miguel.
In: Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 31.05.2019, p. 1-14.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Less human, more to blame
T2 - Animalizing poor people increases blame and decreases support for wealth redistribution
AU - Sainz, Mario
AU - Martínez, Rocío
AU - Sutton, Robbie M.
AU - Rodríguez-Bailón, Rosa
AU - Moya, Miguel
PY - 2019/5/31
Y1 - 2019/5/31
N2 - Increasing economic inequality adversely affects groups with low socioeconomic status (low-SES). However, many people are opposed to wealth redistribution policies. In this context, we examined whether dehumanization of low-SES groups has a role in this opposition. In the first study (N = 303), opposition to wealth redistribution was related to denying human uniqueness (e.g., intelligence and rationality) and having negative attitudes toward low-SES groups, more than denying human nature (e.g., emotionality and capacity to suffer) to low-SES groups. Mediation analyses indicated that this effect occurred via blaming low-SES groups for their plight, after controlling for participants’ SES and negative attitudes towards low-SES groups. In the second study (N = 220), manipulating the human uniqueness of a fictitious low-SES group affected support for wealth redistribution measures through blame. These results indicate that animalizing low-SES groups reduces support for wealth redistribution via blaming low-SES groups for their situation.
AB - Increasing economic inequality adversely affects groups with low socioeconomic status (low-SES). However, many people are opposed to wealth redistribution policies. In this context, we examined whether dehumanization of low-SES groups has a role in this opposition. In the first study (N = 303), opposition to wealth redistribution was related to denying human uniqueness (e.g., intelligence and rationality) and having negative attitudes toward low-SES groups, more than denying human nature (e.g., emotionality and capacity to suffer) to low-SES groups. Mediation analyses indicated that this effect occurred via blaming low-SES groups for their plight, after controlling for participants’ SES and negative attitudes towards low-SES groups. In the second study (N = 220), manipulating the human uniqueness of a fictitious low-SES group affected support for wealth redistribution measures through blame. These results indicate that animalizing low-SES groups reduces support for wealth redistribution via blaming low-SES groups for their situation.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85066872846&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85066872846&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1368430219841135
DO - 10.1177/1368430219841135
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85066872846
SP - 1
EP - 14
JO - Group Processes and Intergroup Relations
JF - Group Processes and Intergroup Relations
SN - 1368-4302
ER -