The Class–Compassion Gap

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul K. Piff ◽  
Jake P. Moskowitz
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Lower Class ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Class Differences ◽  
Material Resources ◽  
Subjective Perceptions ◽  
Mitigating Factors ◽  
Lower Social Class ◽  
And Behavior

Who is more likely to experience compassion: someone who is rich or someone who is poor? In this chapter, we review how psychological science can shed light on this question. We argue that social class differences in objective material resources (e.g., income) and corresponding subjective perceptions of rank produce self- versus other-oriented patterns of social cognition and behavior among upper- and lower-class individuals, respectively. Extending this framework to the domain of compassion, empirical studies find that individuals from lower social class backgrounds are more prone to feelings of compassion and more likely to behave in ways that are compassionate, including sharing with, caring for, and helping others, relative to individuals from higher social class backgrounds. We describe boundary conditions and mitigating factors to the class–compassion gap, and conclude by outlining important questions and lines of inquiry to guide future research.

Career Development of Lower Social Class Adolescents in South Korea

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 516-530
Author(s):  
Mae Hyang Hwang ◽  
Jihye Lee ◽  
Ae-Kyung Jung
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Social Class ◽  
Career Development ◽  
Career Counseling ◽  
High School Seniors ◽  
Lower Class ◽  
Phone Call ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Lower Social Class

Despite increased efforts and a broadened understanding of social class and its impact on career development, the career development of lower social class adolescents and its interaction with sociocontextual factors remain understudied. The current study explored the educational and career experiences of South Korean high school seniors using a qualitative approach and the gender and social class career development model. Our sample included 14 lower class high school seniors who were preparing for different career paths after graduation. The data were collected at three time points, through two semistructured interviews, documents, and brief phone-call surveys. An inductive thematic analysis of 28 semistructured interviews and documentations revealed three domains with seven themes. The results demonstrated an influence of lower social class on adolescents’ socialization, access to resources, affectional and academic barriers, and academic and career attainment. The implications of the results for career counseling, interventions, policies, and future research are discussed.

Social Class and Wellbeing among Staff and Students in Higher Education Settings: Mapping the Problem and Exploring Underlying Mechanisms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isla Dougall ◽  
Mario Weick ◽  
Milica Vasiljevic
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Class ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Class Differences ◽  
High Social Class ◽  
Lower Social Class ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
The Relationship

Within Higher Education (HE), lower social class staff and students often experience poorer wellbeing than their higher social class counterparts. Previous research conducted outside educational contexts has linked social class differences in wellbeing with differences in the extent to which low and high social class individuals feel respected (i.e., status), in control (i.e., autonomy), and connected with others (i.e., inclusion). However, to our knowledge, there has been no research that has investigated these factors within HE settings. Furthermore, inclusion, status and autonomy are correlated, yet little is known about how these factors contribute to wellbeing simultaneously, and independently, of one another. To fill these gaps, we report the results of two studies; firstly with HE students (Study 1; N = 305), and secondly with HE staff (Study 2; N = 261). Consistently across studies, reports of poor wellbeing were relatively common and more than twice as prevalent amongst lower social class staff and students compared to higher social class staff and students. Inclusion, status and autonomy each made a unique contribution and accounted for the relationship between social class and wellbeing (fully amongst students, and partially amongst staff members). These relationships held across various operationalisations of social class and when examining a range of facets of wellbeing. Social class along with inclusion, status and autonomy explained a substantial 40% of the variance in wellbeing. The present research contributes to the literature exploring how social class intersects with social factors to impact the wellbeing of staff and students within HE.

scholarly journals Partner Commitment in Close Relationships Mitigates Social Class Differences in Subjective Well-Being

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacinth Jia Xin Tan ◽  
Michael W. Kraus ◽  
Emily Impett ◽  
Dacher Keltner
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Lower Class ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Upper Class ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Class Differences ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
The Relationship

Close relationships can be a source of positive subjective well-being for lower-class individuals, but stresses of lower-class environments tend to negatively impact those relationships. The present research demonstrates that a partner’s commitment in close relationships buffers against the negative impact of lower-class environments on relationships, mitigating social class differences in subjective well-being. In two samples of close relationship dyads, we found that when partners reported low commitment to the relationship, relatively lower-class individuals experienced poorer well-being than their upper-class counterparts, assessed as life satisfaction among romantic couples (Study 1) and negative affect linked to depression among ethnically diverse close friendships (Study 2). Conversely, when partners reported high commitment to the relationship, deficits in the well-being of lower-class relative to upper-class individuals were attenuated. Implications of these findings for upending the class divide in subjective well-being are discussed.

Domiciliary and out-patient treatment of self-poisoning patients by medical and non-medical staff

1981 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Hawton ◽  
John Bancroft ◽  
Jose Catalan ◽  
Breda Kingston ◽  
Averil Stedeford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Patient Treatment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Attendance Rates ◽  
Lower Social Class

SYNOPSISIn a study of domiciliary and out-patient treatment of self-poisoning patients, using a brief problem-orientated approach, it was found that domiciliary treatment resulted in much higher attendance rates but no difference in outcome. Patients who completed out-patient treatment had a better outcome than those who failed to attend treatment sessions. Completion of out-patient treatment was more frequent among higher social class patients. Domiciliary treatment may be more appropriate in some cases for married patients and for those of lower social class. Medical and non-medical staff proved to be equally effective therapists. Future research should be concerned with evaluation of alternative methods of provision of help and further identification of patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment.

scholarly journals “Don’t Get Above Yourself ”: Heterosexual Cross-Class Couples Are Viewed Less Favorably

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-66
Author(s):  
Cara C. MacInnis ◽  
Elena Buliga
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Social Dominance ◽  
Lower Class ◽  
System Justification ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
High Class ◽  
System Justification Theory ◽  
Cross Education ◽  
Class Woman

We examined perceptions of cross-class heterosexual couples, that is, couples where couple members differ in social class. Informed by social dominance theory, system justification theory, and equity theory, we predicted that (a) cross- (vs. same-) class couples would be perceived more negatively, (b) cross-class couples with the woman (vs. the man) in the higher class position would be evaluated more negatively, and (c) same-class low-low (vs. high-high) couples would be evaluated more negatively. We examined perceptions of cross-income, cross-education, and cross-occupation status relationships. We found support for our predicted patterns, with some exceptions. In general, high-high class couples were preferred. In three of four studies, a higher-class woman paired with a lower-class man was evaluated most negatively of all couples. Recognition of this prejudice may explain challenges faced by certain couples and couple members; as such, implications for clinicians and counselors are discussed. Further, our research generates directions for future research. Additional online materials for this article are available on PWQ’s website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/0361684319878459

Social-Class Correlates of Selected Cognitive Functions

1965 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-68
Author(s):  
Ralph Scott
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Lower Class ◽  
Class Differences ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Motivational Conflict

Using data from four tests of cognitive functions for 126 14- to 16-yr.-old students certain social-class differences appeared related to levels of need content. The observation that lower-class Ss tended to prefer items of lower need levels in the Maslow hierarchy when confronted with reality situations and higher need contents in fantasy-choice situations was interpreted as reflecting motivational conflict.

Socioeconomic Status and Cultural Difference

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keiko Ishii ◽  
Charis Eisen
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Cultural Difference ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cultural Dynamics ◽  
Analytic Thinking ◽  
Internal Attribution ◽  
National Cultures ◽  
Material Resources ◽  
External Causes ◽  
And Behavior

Socioeconomic status (SES) is a multidimensional construct based on access to material resources and one’s own rank relative to others in a social hierarchy. It fundamentally shapes individuals’ psychological and behavioral tendencies. In many ways, socioeconomic variation parallels East–West cultural dynamics. Like East Asian cultures, lower SES fosters interdependence, a reduced striving for personal choice, holistic thinking, and the attribution of events and behavior to external causes. In contrast, similar to Western cultures, higher SES supports independence, a strong desire for control, self-expression through choice, analytic thinking, and internal attribution. SES has also been found to shape additional psychological tendencies. Because limited access to resources and education makes it necessary to rely on other people, lower SES has been shown to be linked to a greater understanding of others’ emotions and a tendency to act altruistically. Although the evidence is still limited, this article describes what is known about the simultaneous influence of SES and culture. Some studies have explored similar SES effects across cultures. However, reflecting the variation in the dominant ideas and practices shared among people within sociocultural contexts, some studies have suggested that socioeconomic contexts elicit different psychological processes across national cultures. Higher-SES individuals especially seem to adjust themselves to culturally sanctioned ideas and practices. The article suggests directions for future research that will enhance our understanding of the interplay between SES and national cultures.

Social Competence and Behavior Problems in Premature Children at School Age

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-397
Author(s):  
Gail Ross ◽  
Evelyn G. Lipper ◽  
Peter A.M. Auld
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Social Competence ◽  
Behavior Problems ◽  
Child Behavior Checklist ◽  
Class Group ◽  
Lower Class ◽  
Conduct Disorders ◽  
School Age ◽  
Premature Children ◽  
And Behavior

Social competence and behavior problems of 87 children born weighing < 1501 g were measured using the Child Behavior Checklist when the children were 7 to 8 years old. Both premature boys and girls had significantly lower Social Competence scores than the normative samples of their respective sexes. Only premature boys had significantly higher Behavior Problems scores, with significantly higher scores on behaviors associated with conduct disorders. Premature children in each of three social class groups had significantly lower Social Competence scores and higher Behavior Problems scores than normative children. Furthermore, there was an interaction between prematurity and social class on Behavior Problems scores, with the greatest discrepancy in scores between premature and normative children in the lower-class group. Relative to other predictors, IQ score best explained Social Competence scores and family stability best explained Behavior Problems scores in the premature sample.

scholarly journals Champagne taste, beer budget: The new poor’s incongruent capital and consumption

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Fen Chen ◽  
Michelle R. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Social Stratification ◽  
Lower Class ◽  
The United States ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Downward Mobility ◽  
Class Differences ◽  
Price Range ◽  
Fragmented Identity ◽  
Consumer Culture Theory

This study examines the shopping preferences of “new poor” consumers who have incongruent capital: lower economic capital and higher noneconomic capital. The new poor exemplify consumers with ambiguous and fragmented identity; thus, they do not fit marketers’ static categorization of consumer segments. In the marketplace, these consumers must compromise between their upper-class taste and lower-class earnings. Taking a Consumer Culture Theory approach to examine consumers’ identity projects in social inequality, we conduct 20 interviews among self-defined new poor consumers in the United States and Taiwan to explore how their dynamic social class consciousness is reflected in everyday consumption. The findings suggest that new poor consumers perform “compromised ideal consumption” in which they strategically interpret and wield their remaining capital to signal social class differences, while employing adaptive and active capitalization acts to access goods that should have been beyond their price range. The findings illuminate how incongruent, devalued capital reproduces social stratification in the context of downward mobility.

scholarly journals International Migration, Livelihood Strategy, and Poverty Cycle

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Martua Sihaloho ◽  
Ekawati Sri Wahyuni ◽  
Rilus A. Kinseng ◽  
Sediono M.P. Tjondronegoro
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Middle Class ◽  
Social Mobility ◽  
Lower Class ◽  
Social Classes ◽  
Upper Class ◽  
Livelihood Strategy ◽  
Poor Households ◽  
Lower Social Class ◽  
Social Climbing

Poverty drove Indonesian poor households (e.g. their family members) to find other livelihoods. One popular choice is becoming an international migrant. This paper describes and analyzes the change in agrarian structure which causes dynamics in agrarian poverty. The study uses qualitative approach and constructivism paradigm. Research results showed that even if migration was dominated by farmer households from lower social class; it also served as livelihood strategy for middle and upper social classes. Improved economics brought dynamics on social reality. The dynamic accesses to agrarian resources consist of (1) horizontal social mobility (means that they stay in their previous social class); (2) vertical social mobility in the form of social climbing; low to middle class, low to upper class, and middle class to upper class; and, (3) vertical social mobility in the form of social sinking: upper class to middle class, upper class to lower class, and middle class to lower class. The dynamic in social classes indicates the presence of agrarian poverty cycle, they are social climbing and sinking.

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