Relative Deprivation and College Students: The Money / Happiness Link
Poster Number
4
Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Artist Statement
Runciman (1966) provides one of the earliest and most comprehensive definitions of Relative Deprivation (RD). The basic idea is that an individual will feel relatively deprived if s/he does not have something (e.g., goods, money, respect, etc.) possessed by a reference group with whom s/he interacts. Similarly, an individual will feel Relatively Satisfied (RS) if s/he lowers relative deprivation in comparison to the reference group. Using 120 undergraduate students divided into four groups of 30, we constructed a controlled experiment that induced a sense of RD and RS within two of the groups. We then administered our happiness test, composed of a questionnaire and memorization test, to determine if RD and RS existed after controlling for external factors. Preliminary results show that at the 10% level of significance, subjects given money had higher levels of momentary happiness than those that were not. However, amongst those given money, the induced RD and RS did not significantly influence the level of happiness. Previous research as well as more details on the experimental method, results, and possible policy implications will be discussed during the Pacific Undergraduate Research & Creativity Conference.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom B
Start Date
1-5-2010 10:00 AM
End Date
1-5-2010 12:00 PM
Relative Deprivation and College Students: The Money / Happiness Link
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom B
Runciman (1966) provides one of the earliest and most comprehensive definitions of Relative Deprivation (RD). The basic idea is that an individual will feel relatively deprived if s/he does not have something (e.g., goods, money, respect, etc.) possessed by a reference group with whom s/he interacts. Similarly, an individual will feel Relatively Satisfied (RS) if s/he lowers relative deprivation in comparison to the reference group. Using 120 undergraduate students divided into four groups of 30, we constructed a controlled experiment that induced a sense of RD and RS within two of the groups. We then administered our happiness test, composed of a questionnaire and memorization test, to determine if RD and RS existed after controlling for external factors. Preliminary results show that at the 10% level of significance, subjects given money had higher levels of momentary happiness than those that were not. However, amongst those given money, the induced RD and RS did not significantly influence the level of happiness. Previous research as well as more details on the experimental method, results, and possible policy implications will be discussed during the Pacific Undergraduate Research & Creativity Conference.