Dissecting Whiteness: consistencies and differences in the stereotypes of lower- and upper-class White US Americans

Abstract

ABSTRACT Economic inequality is increasing in the United States, making categorization and stereotyping based on social class more likely. Yet, social class stereotypes have received relatively little attention. Focusing on spontaneously generated stereotypes of different White lower-class and upper-class groups in the United States, we find consistencies and differences across groups. Lower-class groups were stereotyped as poor, uneducated, dirty, and lacking ability, while upper-class groups were stereotyped as rich, arrogant, and lacking sociability. Stereotypes for all groups were largely negative but there were notable variations in stereotype valence, sociability, morality, ability, and assertiveness as well as perceived attitudes toward the groups within each social class, highlighting the importance of moving beyond a monolithic view of “the rich” and “the poor.”