Work

Better Off Than We Know

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: Three studies examined Americans' perceptions of incomes and income inequality using a variety of criterion measures. Contrary to recent findings indicating that Americans underestimate wealth inequality, we found that Americans not only overestimated the rise of income inequality over time, but also underestimated average incomes. Thus, economic conditions in America are more favorable than people seem to realize. Furthermore, ideological differences emerged in two of these studies, such that political liberals overestimated the rise of inequality more than political conservatives. Implications of these findings for public policy debates and ideological disagreements are discussed.

Source: Psychological Science

DOI: 10.1177/0956797613504965

Authors: John R. Chambers, Lawton K. Swan, Martin Heesacker

Institutions: Saint Louis University, University of Florida

Language: English

Topic: Income, Poverty, and Inequality

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2113038598

FWCI: 14.4

Cites: 15

Cited by: 156

Related to: 10