Relative Deprivation and Intergroup Dynamics
Summary
Relative deprivation refers to the subjective sense that one’s circumstances, or those of one’s group, are unfairly worse than those of relevant comparators. It arises from social comparison processes that may highlight material, cultural or political inequalities, and it encompasses both individual-based and group-based perceptions of disadvantage. Within intergroup dynamics, feelings of relative deprivation can fuel resentment, heighten perceived threats from out-groups and motivate collective action aimed at restoring equity. This interplay underpins a wide array of social phenomena, from political protest and the rise of populist movements to tensions over immigration and the erosion of societal trust. Researchers have shown that relative deprivation contributes not only to support for radical positions but also to psychological distress and challenges to social cohesion. The concept thus offers a unifying lens for understanding how subjective disadvantage translates into group-directed attitudes, behaviours and policy preferences across diverse contexts.
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Relative Deprivation and Intergroup Dynamics publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in relative deprivation and intergroup dynamics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Relative deprivation: A subjective judgement of unfair disadvantage based on comparison with others or other groups.
Individual-based relative deprivation (IRD): Perception of personal disadvantage relative to individual peers.
Group-based relative deprivation (GRD): Perception that one’s social group is disadvantaged compared to other groups.
Collective action: Coordinated efforts by group members to redress perceived injustices or inequalities.
References
- Examining the between‐ and within‐person effects of relative deprivation: Results from a 7‐year longitudinal panel sample. European Journal of Social Psychology (2022).
- Perceived Relative Deprivation Across the Adult Lifespan: An Examination of Aging and Cohort Effects. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin (2023).
- Social movements, relative deprivation and cellular automata. Cogent Social Sciences (2022).
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