3rd Year Winner – The Effects of Zero-sum Beliefs on Resistance to Equality, by Elizabeth Beacon
The current political climate shows much resistance to change and perpetuation of inequality. For example, in the UK there is resistance from politicians to policy change which would help the most vulnerable in the cost of living crisis (e.g., BBC, 2022), perpetuating inequality. The extent to which political activity reflects public attitudes varies (e.g., Sturgis & Kuha, 2018). Resistance to change shown by the public and politicians at all levels is likely a result of numerous factors, and understanding them is crucial in the promotion of equality. It is argued that a major component of this is zero-sum beliefs, both through their direct effects and the consequences of them.
The concept of zero-sum belief outlines the false view that the success or progress of another group comes at the cost of one’s own group, such that two groups cannot simultaneously experience equality (e.g., Davidai & Ongis, 2019). Having more zero-sum beliefs has previously been associated with several subsequent behaviours, including decreased willingness to help refugees (Piotrowski et al., 2019), and decreased likelihood of voting for equality-promoting policy (Brown et al., 2022). It may also predict more harmful beliefs: for example, the relationship between Christians and LGBTQ+ people is believed by Christians to be zero-sum, and leads to more homophobic behaviour from Christians (Wilkins et al., 2021). Thus, believing that two groups cannot simultaneously experience equality is not only false, but has consequences for future attitudes and behaviours towards others. To end the perpetuation of inequality, it is vital to both dispel pre-existing zero-sum beliefs as well as prevent information from being perceived that way in the future.
Zero-sum belief can be applied to both domestic and international politics. For example, understanding reasoning behind domestic intergroup conflict may shape policy direction and group behaviours, especially when looking at social inequality and prejudices between social
groups. Internationally, understanding zero-sum belief could help improve efficiency international trade agreements or international humanitarian aid. In both cases, the concept can be applied to oneself and others: understanding that the success of another group or country is not inherently detrimental to oneself or one’s own country, and understanding that other groups may view one’s own success as detrimental to them.
Additionally, zero-sum belief could explain large scale prejudice and discrimination (e.g., racism) and resistance to helping this. It is somewhat well established that white people view racial equality as a zero-sum game, and thus that improving equality for Black people results in ‘less equality’ for them. This further extends to greater misperception of equality, such that white people may view anti-white bias as more prevalent than anti-Black bias (Norton & Sommers, 2011).
A further consideration regards who may be more susceptible to zero-sum beliefs. Research has indicated that, generally, people with conservative values and ideologies are more likely to hold high zero-sum beliefs (Davidai & Ongis, 2019). Additionally, experiencing personal relative deprivation (regardless of actual economic status) may predict zero-sum thinking (Ongis & Davidai, 2021). Zero-sum belief is often observed in relation to specific intergroup relationships: for example, when considering racism, zero-sum beliefs are not found in Black people (the oppressed group; Norton & Sommers, 2011). Having an indication of who may be more likely to hold these incorrect beliefs may be crucial for politicians when considering policy direction and political campaigning, in order to target the correct people to make optimal positive impact on views towards equality.
Understanding zero-sum beliefs may also impact political campaigning more broadly, including election campaigns and campaigns for the public’s support of policy. It could inform how information should be portrayed to both point out that zero-sum beliefs are incorrect, as well as stop them from forming in the first place. For example, policy campaigns may choose to focus on benefits to both parties, and election campaigns on representing all constituents as opposed to just those who voted for them. Without this understanding, vague statements like ‘I will increase affordable housing’ may be perceived as detrimental to those who would not directly benefit from them. Instead, they should show that the increase in affordable housing will not affect others (e.g., by highlighting that this will not take away pre-existing resources or services).
Similarly, some extant research has provided suggestions for how zero-sum belief could influence the presentation of policy. Describing policy in a way that highlights differences between groups may lead to the development or perpetuation of zero-sum beliefs. For example, policies which highlight ‘quotas’ for diversity or equality may be perceived as threats to one group’s resources, which may encourage zero-sum beliefs (Haley & Sidanius, 2006).
However, there are caveats and limits to the scope of the concept of zero-sum beliefs and the impact that they may have in this context. When considering large-scale inequality, particularly racism, it is crucial to understand that inequality is often structural. Structural inequality is so deeply engrained in most societies (at least, Western societies; e.g., criminal justice systems; Rucker & Richeson, 2021) that it is unfair and naïve to attribute all inequality to individual- or social-level factors. Despite this, enough change in public perception and politics may influence structures and systems in a way that reduces their
inequality. It is argued that although structural factors have an undeniable impact on the maintenance of inequality, it is still important to continue improving inequality at the individual and social group level, as at these levels equality is still far from ideal.
If politicians understood factors underlying resistance to change and equality, attention can be directed to promoting equality by highlighting to the public that it is not zero-sum. Decreasing zero-sum beliefs will have deep positive consequences for the perception of equality. Additionally, politicians may also be able to understand why they hold certain beliefs themselves. Seeing their own belief error may affect how they practice politics more broadly – for example, through changing their voting patterns in Parliament. These improvements could be crucial in promoting change and equality for all members of society.
References:
Brown, N. D., Jacoby-Senghor, D. S., & Raymundo, I. (2022). If you rise, I fall: Equality is prevented by the misperception that it harms advantaged groups. Science Advances, 8, eabm2385.
Davidai, S., & Ongis, M. (2019). The politics of zero-sum thinking: The relationship between political ideology and the belief that life is a zero-sum game. Science Advances, 5, eaay3761.
Haley, H., & Sidanius, J. (2006). The positive and negative framing of affirmative action: A group dominance perspective. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 32, 656- 668.
Norton, M. I., & Sommers, S. R. (2011). Whites see racism as a zero-sum game that they are now losing. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 6, 215-218
Ongis, M., & Davidai, S. (2021). Personal relative deprivation and the belief that economic success is zero-sum. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General. Advance Online Publication.
Piotrowski, J., Różycka‐Tran, J., Baran, T., & Żemojtel‐Piotrowska, M. (2019). Zero-sum thinking as mediator of the relationship of national attitudes with (un) willingness to host refugees in own country. International Journal of Psychology, 54, 722-730.
Rucker, J. M., & Richeson, J. A. (2021). Toward an understanding of structural racism: Implications for criminal justice. Science, 374, 286-290.
Sturgis, P., & Kuha, J. (2018, July 5). ‘new poll suggests…’: How to tell when public opinion has really changed. British Politics and Policy at LSE. From https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/how-to-tell-when-public-opinion-has-really- changed/
Thomas, D. (2022, June 9). Petrol prices: Calls for more help as cost to fill a tank hits £100. BBC News. From https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61743734.
Wilkins, C. L., Wellman, J. D., Toosi, N. R., Miller, C. A., Lisnek, J. A., & Martin, L. A. (2021). Is LGBT progress seen as an attack on Christians?: Examining Christian/sexual orientation zero-sum beliefs. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 122, 73-101.