relative deprivation

the feelings felt and the judgements reached when an individual or members of a group compare themselves – and especially their social situation -adversely with some other individual within their group or with another group, e.g. the less well-off members of an occupational group with the more well-off. The notion is that it is not absolute standards which are important in making such judgements but the relative standards, or frame of reference, in terms of which people make judgements.

As indicated by Stouffer et al. (1949), relative deprivation, somewhat paradoxically is more often felt when people compare their lot adversely with actual or imaginary others in situations with some similarity but not identical to their own, rather than those who occupy markedly different positions. Feelings of relative deprivation may be strongest in relation to others seen to be in a potentially competitive situation. As suggested by MERTON (1949), the bench mark group or groups with which comparisons are made constitute the REFERENCE GROUP(s) of the individuals or groups experiencing feelings and making judgements of relative deprivation. Thus, Runciman, in Relative Deprivation and Social Justice (1966), was able to demonstrate that political opinions and the meanings attached to class membership – (see SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE CLASS) were a function of reference groups and the associated feelings, possibly of relative deprivation. The pronounced attitudinal changes that can be brought about by change in the relative positions of social groups have been shown to be a potent source of political upheaval and revolutionary change (see Urry, 1973).

Collins Dictionary of Sociology, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2000

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References in periodicals archive

We're a county of contrasts, with residents split between sparsely populated rural areas and more densely packed urban towns with some areas of relative deprivation.

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Democratic government, on the other hand, creates more certainty for political development as it very often creates hope that relative deprivation can be reversed regularly at regular opportunities to change regimes or political leadership by the power of the vote.

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Against the backdrop of successive measures individualizing and liberalizing welfare since 2010, Edmiston considers the lived realities of relative deprivation and affluence that characterize embedded welfare austerity in Britain.

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"We are further west than most people want to work and our practice area is an area of relative deprivation, so any GP applying knows they will be busier than those working in more affluent areas.

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Comments from respondents included 'subfertility is not a lifestyle choice or self-inflicted and should be viewed as a medical condition', 'three cycles provide a better chance of pregnancy than just one cycle' and 'given the relative deprivation of the borough of Rochdale many people would not be able to pay for fertility treatment if they could not access it through the NHS.'.

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Therefore the Popular Protest Movement (PPM) will continue as long as there are "hungry men." I can see the situation is in full agreement with Relative Deprivation theory which is the discrepancy between what people think they deserve, and what they actually think they can get.

Sudan: The rationale behind Popular Protest Movement (PPM)

This mandate includes providing an equitable formula, subject to the approval of the president, for distribution of socio-economic services, amenities and infrastructural facilities; formulate modalities and schemes subject to the approval of the president, for redressing the problems of imbalances and reducing the fear of relative deprivation and marginalisation in the Nigerian system of federalism as it obtains in the public and private sectors.

Sheba: Fresh impetus in character commission?

Smith "was deeply concerned about the incidences of poverty, illiteracy, and relative deprivation that might remain despite a well-functioning market economy, and our determination to do something about these failures demands more than the pursuit of self-interest and even self-centered prudence" (297).

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But even then, the challenges posed by relative deprivation will not be tackled in an efficient manner.

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In most age groups the rate of asthma deaths was generally higher as deprivation increased, apart from those aged five to 44, where researchers noted a "modest but significant decrease in deaths from asthma with increasing levels of relative deprivation".

Wealthier at greater risk from asthma; STUDY SHOWS BETTER-OFF KIDS AND YOUNG PEOPLE MORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM RESPIRATORY ILLNESS

He notes that it is 'disturbing' that Balochistan's share in total BISP disbursements in 2014/2015 was substantially lower than its population share, whereas one would expect the reverse, based on relative deprivation.

Balochistan's missing poor