Major Reactions to Minor Events: A Bayesian Approach to Identity Disruption

• In Event: 3213 - Social Psychology - Open Topics Session II

Abstract

Although research on social inequality typically finds that disadvantaged groups have worse well-being and mental health outcomes than their privileged counterparts, scholars have found that disadvantaged groups sometimes have better mental health outcomes than the privileged. We offer an identity-based explanation for these contradictory findings. Drawing on recent advances in affect control theory, we argue that although privileged identities carry advantages when situations confirm their positive, powerful cultural meanings, they produce higher levels of stress than those experienced by those with disadvantaged identities when situations disconfirm these meanings. This is because many privileged identities have similar affective meanings and those who are multiply advantaged face simultaneous disconfirmation of multiple identities when one of these identities is threatened. Results from two sets of simulations support our argument. We end by discussing the implications of these findings for future work on inequality, well-being, and identity.

Author

• Kimberly Brooke Rogers, Dartmouth College