Feeling disadvantaged can have a profound impact on how we perceive and interact with others, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology. The research reveals a psychological link between relative deprivation and the objectification of interpersonal relationships, shedding light on the complex ways in which our social worlds are shaped by feelings of inequality. This study, conducted by Xuegang Zheng, Jie Leng, and Ping Hu from Renmin University of China, delves into the mechanisms behind why feeling left behind can lead to a transactional mindset, where individuals view relationships as mere exchanges of costs and benefits rather than communal bonds of mutual care and support.
The Power of Social Comparison
Social comparisons are an inherent part of human behavior, as we constantly evaluate our success, goals, and place in society against our peers. Upward comparisons, where individuals look up to those with more wealth, better jobs, or higher social standing, can sometimes motivate self-improvement. However, this often results in feelings of intense disadvantage, a phenomenon known as personal relative deprivation. This subjective experience of being treated unfairly can breed frustration, anger, and resentment, negatively impacting mental health and altering social behavior.
The Objectification of Others
The study's authors hypothesized that relative deprivation pushes individuals towards an exchange orientation, where they view their peers as objects to be used rather than human beings with inner lives. This process, known as objectification, involves ignoring a person's autonomy, agency, and subjective experiences, treating them as a means to an end. The researchers suspected that this shift in perspective would lead to a transactional mindset, where relationships are based on the strict tracking of costs and benefits, much like a financial transaction.
Empirical Evidence
To test their hypotheses, the researchers conducted three distinct investigations. The first study, involving 3,482 university freshmen in China, revealed a reliable association between relative deprivation and the objectification of others. This relationship held even after accounting for age and gender differences, suggesting a consistent pattern across demographics.
The second investigation, with 250 adults, further supported the transactional mindset as the connecting mechanism. Participants who felt deprived were more likely to adopt an exchange orientation, which in turn predicted the objectification of others. This pathway remained robust even when factoring out the influence of dark personality traits and the desire for social dominance.
Causal Link Established
The third study, with 194 adults, used an experimental design to manipulate feelings of deprivation. Participants were asked to imagine living on a newly discovered planet where resources were stored vertically, making flying skills crucial for a good life. By comparing their status to either the most or least successful residents, the researchers induced high or low relative deprivation.
The results showed that participants in the high deprivation group adopted a stronger transactional mindset, prioritizing instrumental qualities like flying skills over interpersonal traits like kindness and shared values. This experiment demonstrated a direct causal link between a sense of deprivation and the objectification of relationships.
Implications and Future Directions
The study's findings have significant implications for understanding the breakdown of social relationships when individuals feel disadvantaged. The reliance on hypothetical scenarios and self-reported questionnaires may not perfectly capture real-life interactions, and the research was limited to a Chinese sample. Different cultural norms and fairness perceptions could influence how people react to relative deprivation.
Additionally, while the transactional mindset is a proven pathway to objectification, the study authors suggest that other psychological reactions may also contribute to the breakdown of social bonds. Future research could explore interventions emphasizing community bonds to reverse this objectifying effect and investigate the longevity of transactional mindsets after social standing improves.
This study highlights the complex interplay between feelings of disadvantage and social interactions, offering valuable insights into the psychological mechanisms that shape our relationships. It underscores the importance of understanding and addressing relative deprivation to foster healthier and more supportive social connections.
