The Psychology of Inequity: Motivation and Beliefs

Abstract

Although inequality is a social problem, its origins are traceable at the psychological level. Exploring the motivations and beliefs that drive and maintain inequality at the psychological level can help us better understand the causes and effects of inequality and thus promote transformation. By systematically presenting the psychological mechanisms, group manifestations, and social effects of inequality, the book volume aims to illustrate how psychology can help explain inequality and promote equality. Chapter 1 successively explains how inequality is maintained from three different perspectives. First, selffulfilling prophecies, stereotypes, and in-group derogation may be destructive to breaking inequality. Second, the instinct to dominate others and to promote equality are both beneficial and detrimental to human survival, and thus both instincts have been selected and preserved. Finally, social dominance orientation and right-wing authoritarianism may be critical predictors of how a person responds to inequality from the perspective of personality. Based on the therapist-client relationship, Chapter 2 proposes that a prerequisite for addressing or reducing inequality is the recognition of the fact that some people (most likely the therapist her/himself) are socially privileged. Individuals may seek the help of a psychotherapist after experiencing inequality. The therapist is certainly subjectively willing to help, but if they cannot recognise the fundamental differences in power and social privilege between themselves and the client, therapy is likely to be futile or counterproductive. Chapter 3 uses the example of transformative practice in American public schools to illustrate the significance and necessity of liberation psychology. In the US, racism history and its many forms in public schools have harmed students of colour of all ages. Liberation psychology is a psychological approach that seeks to actively understand the psychology of oppressed and impoverished communities by conceptually and practically addressing oppressive sociopolitical structures. It endeavours to raise the consciousness and rights of the oppressed while also trying to change the “oppressors” by helping them become aware of their social privilege and thus repairing the interpersonal, experiential, and social breakdown of oppression. Chapters 4 and 5 focus on the impact of racial microaggressions on self-esteem and poverty on mental illness, respectively. As society develops and civilisation advances, overt racism is decreasing, and many white people consider themselves anti-racist; however, almost all people of colour experience racial microaggressions at least once in their daily lives (Sue, 2010), suggesting that microaggressions are universal. The accumulation of these daily slights and insults can deplete psychological resources, particularly damaging an individual’s selfesteem (Wong-Padoongpatt et al., 2017). Similarly, the impact of poverty on mental health is hidden. Workingclass children are less likely to go to college and more likely to drop out; economically disadvantaged groups are more likely to have mental health problems such as anxiety and depression; the wealthier people are, the healthier and longer they live; and the poorer they are, the less healthy and shorter they live. It is wrong to ignore socioeconomic inequalities and attribute all problems to the individual (Zhang, 2022). Discussing how poverty and mental illness cycles contribute to widespread disparities and inequalities in health, education, income, employment, and housing helps us reflect on the motivations and beliefs that sustain these systems and thus suggest more equitable solutions. Chapters 6 to 9 exemplify the potentially far-reaching effects of inequality by examining the behaviour of four representative and diverse groups. Chapter 6 explores the discrimination Filipino Americans experience in healthcare settings. Not only does discrimination elicit a stress response leading to poor physical and mental health, but individuals who report experiences of discrimination are less likely to seek timely medical attention or cooperate with treatment, leading to more harmful consequences. Chapter 7 illustrates the motivations and ideology behind the white power movement with an example of a rally in Virginia in 2017. Chapter 8 describes the multiple inequalities experienced by Asian Americans and the adverse effects they have on their health, family economics, and social relationships. Beginning with the ordeal of an African American woman who was denied custody of her daughter on charges of medical negligence, Chapter 9 seeks to explicate the unfair treatment of African Americans in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, which has led to a distrust of the medical establishment, especially the institutions that diagnose and treat mental illness, and thus exacerbates their condition. Throughout the book, the first five chapters focus on theory to practice, exploring the motivations and beliefs underlying inequality and emphasising the importance of understanding the roots at the psychological level. The latter four chapters concentrate on the experiences of different minority groups and their impact on mental health, aiming to present the universality of inequality Book REVIEW