Graduation Year
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.A.
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Degree Granting Department
Psychology
Major Professor
Jamie Goldenberg, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Emily Courtney, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Joseph Vandello, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Kemesha Gabbidon, Ph.D.
Keywords
social class, political psychology, economic mobility, stereotypes
Abstract
Class consciousness, a theoretical construct from the Marxist tradition, promotes an understanding of class dynamics as a structural phenomenon. I hypothesized that class consciousness would moderate animalistic dehumanization of the poor. A total of 435 participants took an online survey containing self-report questionnaires. While a priori hypotheses related to animalistic dehumanization were not supported, exploratory analyses revealed that permeability beliefs—the degree to which an individual sees class boundaries as impermeable—moderate emotional tone when discussing the rich and the poor. Mirroring Marx’s theorizing, those with class consciousness spoke more positively of the poor and less favorably of the rich than their false-conscious counterparts. Additionally, thematic analyses revealed that evaluations of the poor focused primarily on individualist attributions of poverty (i.e. substance abuse, homelessness, and mental health issues) while discussions of the rich highlighted the privilege of their status. I discuss the potential power of class consciousness to shape perceptions of wealth and poverty and lay a foundation for future research aimed at fostering a more equitable society.
Scholar Commons Citation
Lee, Kirsten J., "The Power of Class Consciousness: An Investigation of Permeability Beliefs, Dehumanization, and Evaluations of the Poor" (2024). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/10526
