A cross‐cultural test of competing hypotheses about system justification using data from 42 nations

Evan A. Valdes; James H. Liu; Matt Williams; Stuart C. Carr

doi:10.1111/pops.13039

journal article Open Access Sep 25, 2024

A cross‐cultural test of competing hypotheses about system justification using data from 42 nations

Evan A. Valdes

James H. Liu

Matt Williams

Stuart C. Carr

Political Psychology Vol. 46 No. 4 pp. 822-846 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1111/pops.13039

Abstract

AbstractSystem justification theory (SJT) is a thriving field of research, wherein the primary questions revolve around why individuals and groups are motivated to see the systems they depend on as just, fair, and legitimate. This article seeks to answer how accurate the postulates of SJT are when compared to competing self‐interest claims of social identity and social dominance theory. We addressed the ongoing debates among proponents of each theory by identifying who, when, and why individuals decide to system‐justify. We used data comprised of 24,009 participants nested within 42 countries. Multilevel models largely supported the competing claims of social dominance and social identity theories over SJT. The most robust findings were: (1) greater objective socioeconomic status (SES) was associated with greater system justification; (2) the consistent positive relationship between subjective SES and system justification was partially mediated by life satisfaction; and (3) both ends of the political spectrum were willing to system‐justify more when the political party they favored was in power. The results presented are used to discuss both the current state and the future directions for system justification research.

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Details

Published: Sep 25, 2024
Vol/Issue: 46(4)
Pages: 822-846
License: View

Authors

E

Evan A. Valdes

School of Psychology Massey University – Albany Palmerston North New Zealand

J

James H. Liu

School of Psychology Massey University – Albany Palmerston North New Zealand

M

Matt Williams

School of Psychology Massey University – Albany Palmerston North New Zealand

S

Stuart C. Carr

School of Psychology Massey University – Albany Palmerston North New Zealand

Funding

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Award: EXC 2126/1‐390838866

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Award: 15H05730

H2020 European Research Council Award: 635356

Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development Award: FA 2386‐15‐1‐0003

Cite This Article

Evan A. Valdes, James H. Liu, Matt Williams, et al. (2024). A cross‐cultural test of competing hypotheses about system justification using data from 42 nations. Political Psychology, 46(4), 822-846. https://doi.org/10.1111/pops.13039

A cross‐cultural test of competing hypotheses about system justification using data from 42 nations

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