Poverty and wealth according to the sociocultural group – a social representations study

Abstract

We observed social representations of poverty and wealth as phenomena marked by groups´ history and culture, including social class and ethnic group. There were 90 participants, 43 of whom self-defined as White (W) and 47 as Black (B). A questionnaire was applied in public secondary schools about being poor/rich, how to explain poverty/wealth, and how to end poverty. The W and the B differed on being poor/rich. In relation to being poor/rich, the W mentioned more themes related to finance/money conditions and sustenance (housing, food), while the B stressed, the psychological individual, civil constraint and appropriation/advantage. Concerning explanations of poverty, the W foregrounded the financial/money dimension and dramatization/emotionalism and, the B highlighted government/public administration. About how to end poverty, the B pointed out the politician´s action/income distribution and social organisation/solidarity in the society. To explain wealth, the W mentioned individual achievement, sin, legacy, and the B, appropriation/advantage, embezzlement/lie.