Values outweigh political ideology when forming beliefs about gentrification: A study of the U.S. general public

Gentrification has challenged cities across the U.S., mostly harming low-income and communities of color. As municipalities consider different ways to handle gentrification – either encouraging its progress or constraining its harm – they may consider public opinion on the issue when making decisions. However, information regarding public opinion on gentrification remains in short supply, especially on a large, nationwide scale. This study sought to close this gap through a national-scale online survey analyzed using structural equation modeling. We found that three politically influential values – conservatism, self-enhancement, and self-transcendence – were significantly related to the general public’s beliefs about gentrification. We found that more conservative respondents were more strongly in favor of development, and that self-transcendent respondents (those who look out for others) were in favor of integrating residents of different backgrounds and incomes in city neighborhoods – indicating progressive ideals. These findings bolster Schwartz values theory and illustrate potential voters’ beliefs about gentrification.