How Economic Inequality Affects Ingroup Stereotypes Among the Economically Disadvantaged Individuals

ABSTRACT Previous research has found a link between economic inequality and stereotypes. However, little is known whether inequality affects perceived stereotypes among poor people because no studies have specifically focused on this group. To address this gap, we conducted a series of experiments to examine the impact of economic inequality on ingroup stereotypes among economically disadvantaged individuals. Participants were randomly assigned to high or low inequality conditions, and then rated ingroup stereotypes. Results of three experiments revealed that participants who were exposed to high (vs. low) inequality conditions perceived the ingroup as less competent. In Experiment 3, those who reported doing less (vs. more) downward comparison in daily life perceived their ingroup as less competent in the high (vs. low) inequality condition. Our findings demonstrate that exposure to high economic inequality decreases ingroup competence stereotypes among the economically disadvantaged group. Surprisingly, we identified downward social comparison, rather than upward comparison, as a key moderator. As the first study to examine the influence of economic inequality on ingroup stereotypes, our research enhances understanding of how individuals from low socioeconomic backgrounds respond to and are affected by economic inequality.