Ideological orientations, intergroup stereotypes, and opposition to permanent supportive housing

Abstract

The number of people experiencing homelessness has continuously increased in the United States in the last decade. Researchers have shown that permanent supportive housing is an effective method for addressing chronic homelessness. However, housing programs and policies often meet with opposition from people in the community. Using theorizing from the dual-process model of prejudice and the stereotype content model, we examined whether ideological orientations of right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) and social dominance orientation (SDO) predicted opposition to permanent supportive housing through different stereotypes and emotional prejudices. Across two studies (N_Total = 579), we measured Californians’ ideological orientations (RWA, SDO), stereotypes and emotional prejudices toward homeless individuals, and their attitudes toward housing programs. Study 1 focused on permanent housing in a community, while Study 2 focused on a state-wide policy that funds permanent housing. Across both studies, stronger SDO predicted negative competence stereotypes, less pity and more contempt toward homeless individuals, and opposition to housing programs. SDO consistently predicted opposition to social programs through stronger contempt and less pity. RWA is differently related to outcomes across the studies. Results suggest that people's preference for maintaining hierarchy and power structures, which underlies SDO, is a key predictor of people's housing attitudes.