Social inequality and psychological characteristics: The psychological gap hypothesis

Abstract

This research tries to evaluate if socioeconomic inequality affects the auto-perception of psychological characteristics, suggesting the existence of a psychological gap. For this purpose, a questionnaire was applied annually to 1500 persons living in different urban areas of Argentina from 2004 to 2007 (panel study). Brief versions of tests were included in order to assess locus of control, personal projects, psychological distress and verbal comprehension. The results show significant differences between the people belonging to lower classes and the people belonging to the upper classes. This information would indicate the presence of a psychological gap depending on the socioeconomic level.