We propose that class is inversely related to a propensity for using wise reasoning (recognizing limits of their knowledge, consider world in flux and change, acknowledges and integrate different perspectives) in interpersonal situations, contrary to established class advantage in abstract cognition. Two studies—an online survey from regions differing in economic affluence (n = 2 145) and a representative in-lab study with stratified sampling of adults from working and middle-class backgrounds (n = 299)—tested this proposition, indicating that higher social class consistently related to lower levels of wise reasoning across different levels of analysis, including regional and individual differences, and subjective construal of specific situations. The results held across personal and standardized hypothetical situations, across self-reported and observed wise reasoning, and when controlling for fluid and crystallized cognitive abilities. Consistent with an ecological framework, class differences in wise reasoning were specific to interpersonal (versus societal) conflicts. These findings suggest that higher social class weighs individuals down by providing the ecological constraints that undermine wise reasoning about interpersonal affairs.
Social class and wise reasoning about interpersonal conflicts across regions, persons and situations
Published 2017 in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
ABSTRACT
PUBLICATION RECORD
- Publication year
2017
- Venue
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
- Publication date
2017-12-08
- Fields of study
Sociology, Medicine, Psychology
- Identifiers
- External record
- Source metadata
Semantic Scholar, PubMed
CITATION MAP
EXTRACTION MAP
CLAIMS
CONCEPTS
- crystallized cognitive ability
A control variable representing knowledge-based cognitive ability built from accumulated learning and experience.
Aliases: crystallized ability
- fluid cognitive ability
A control variable representing reasoning and problem-solving ability that is less dependent on learned knowledge.
Aliases: fluid ability
- interpersonal conflicts
Disputes or disagreements between people that serve as the focal situation domain in the paper.
Aliases: interpersonal situations, interpersonal affairs
- social class
A person's or region's relative position in the socioeconomic hierarchy used as the main predictor in the paper.
Aliases: class, social class background
- societal conflicts
Conflicts framed at the broader social or societal level, used here as a comparison domain to interpersonal conflict.
Aliases: societal affairs
- wise reasoning
Reasoning in interpersonal situations that involves recognizing limits of knowledge, accepting change, and integrating multiple perspectives.
Aliases: wise reasoning about interpersonal situations
REFERENCES
Showing 1-73 of 73 references · Page 1 of 1
CITED BY
Showing 1-44 of 44 citing papers · Page 1 of 1