Impact of Relative and Prolonged Deprivation | Psychology for UPSC Optional (Notes) PDF Download

Introduction

Exploring the Meaning of Relative and Prolonged Deprivation

• Comparisons with Others: The core essence of relative deprivation lies in the act of comparing oneself to others, where feelings of discontent are always relative, shaped by subjective and contextual standards.
• Distinguishing Absolute Poverty from Relative Hardship: Unlike absolute poverty, which varies across different regions, relative poverty remains relatively stable as long as social disparities persist. In a society marked by inequality, certain individuals will always possess more resources than others.
• Historical Context: To illustrate this concept, let us consider the example of automobiles. In the early 20th century, automobiles were regarded as status symbols and luxury items. Most people led relatively modest lives, so the inability to afford a vehicle did not cause significant distress. In contrast, today's society perceives mobile phones as essential, and while not everyone can afford a smartphone, the relative deprivation experienced due to this disparity is much more pronounced.

2. Universality of Social Inequality

• Socioeconomic Spectrum: Social inequality is a universal phenomenon, with diverse origins and multifaceted effects. It is crucial to acknowledge that the type, degree of deprivation, and consequences of these issues vary across the socioeconomic spectrum.
• Qualitative and Quantitative Measures: Researchers have endeavored to develop measures to assess deprivation, such as malnutrition, socio-cultural inequalities, prolonged poverty, and other severe handicaps. However, poverty remains prevalent, particularly in developing countries, where basic necessities like healthcare, sanitation, and education are inaccessible to many.

The Contributions of Garry Runciman and Ted Gurr

• Fraternal Deprivation: Mass social movements, such as the American Human Rights Movement of the 1960s in response to racial injustice, exemplify instances of fraternal deprivation.
• Brotherly Deprivation: The envy experienced by the middle class towards the wealthy is a manifestation of brotherly deprivation. Television often portrays idealized depictions of the middle class, including affluent individuals driving luxury vehicles and donning designer accessories. Additionally, lacking a close relative or sibling can diminish one's political engagement, particularly evident among supporters of far-right political parties.

2. Ted Gurr's Theory: Relative Poverty and the Pursuit of Desires

• Relative Poverty: Ted Gurr's research centers on the notion that individuals experience relative deprivation when their desires and ambitions encounter barriers.
• The Correlation between Material Hardship and Political Unrest: Gurr's analysis of political violence examines both the perspectives of perpetrators and victims, as well as the role of the state. Despite being written centuries ago, his work remains highly relevant to understanding the modern world's dynamics.

Challenges to Relative Deprivation Theory

While the Relative Deprivation Model provides valuable insights, there are certain challenges that need to be addressed:

• Unexplained Involvement in Unprofitable Movements: The theory fails to explain why individuals may join social movements despite not personally experiencing hardship. In certain cases, people may act out of empathy rather than personal lack.

Conclusion

Relative deprivation manifests as a form of subjective discontent, arising from the inability to access material, interpersonal, cognitive, and affective resources within one's immediate environment and society. Prolonged separation from these resources detrimentally impacts physical and mental development across these dimensions. Individuals experiencing relative social deprivation often believe they are entitled to the same opportunities as others, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction when societal expectations go unfulfilled. However, it is essential to recognize that these comparisons are inherently flawed as they are based on arbitrary criteria. While the theory of social deprivation has faced criticism for not accounting for why individuals join social movements without personal hardship, there exists a subset of individuals motivated purely by compassion for others.