Relative Deprivation Theory

Abstract

Relative deprivation (RD) is the product of an upward comparison that indicates that one’s disadvantaged situation is undeserved coupled with anger and resentment. RD is associated with reduced psychological health and increased individual deviance and collective action. This chapter (a) reviews the history of RD to illustrate its value as a conceptual tool, (b) discusses what is known about the different ways in which people respond to RD, and (c) explores how different comparison types inform the RD experience and its outcomes. If correctly measured, RD illuminates how people’s subjective interpretations of their economic circumstances impacts their health, attitudes and behavior.