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The social psychology of economic inequality

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  • Matthew J. Easterbrook

Abstract

In this review, I provide an overview of the literature investigating the social psychology of economic inequality, focusing on individuals' understandings, perceptions, and reactions to inequality. I begin by describing different ways of measuring perceptions of inequality, and conclude that absolute measures—which ask respondents to estimate inequality in more concrete terms—tend to be more useful and accurate than relative measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew J. Easterbrook, 2021. "The social psychology of economic inequality," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2021-43, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2021-43
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ravallion, Martin & Lokshin, Michael, 2000. "Who wants to redistribute?: The tunnel effect in 1990s Russia," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 76(1), pages 87-104, April.
    2. Pedersen, Rasmus T. & Mutz, Diana C., 2019. "Attitudes Toward Economic Inequality: The Illusory Agreement," Political Science Research and Methods, Cambridge University Press, vol. 7(4), pages 835-851, October.
    3. Lionel Page & Daniel G. Goldstein, 2016. "Subjective beliefs about the income distribution and preferences for redistribution," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 47(1), pages 25-61, June.
    4. Kimmo Eriksson & Brent Simpson, 2012. "What do Americans know about inequality? It depends on how you ask them," Judgment and Decision Making, Society for Judgment and Decision Making, vol. 7(6), pages 741-745, November.
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