Psychological distance and system justification: status- and political ideology-related differences in the legitimization of inequality as a function of construal level

The main purpose of the current doctoral dissertation was to contribute to the research on the socio-psychological mechanisms that legitimize social inequalities. In particular, the relationship between psychological distance and system justification was examined through the lens of Construal Level Theory (e.g., Trope & Liberman, 2010). We hypothesized that the fundamental motivations of individuals to defend their interests, their group, and the status quo would vary with psychological distance. Study 1 and 2 investigated the moderating effect of construal level on the relationship between membership in different status groups (defined by income and gender) and system justification (in economic and gender inequality, respectively). Study 3 expanded the results by examining the influence of construal level on the extent to which individuals with opposing political ideologies justify the system. Finally, Study 4 deepened the results by comparing the impact of a self-related threat to that of a system-related threat as a function of construal level. Overall, the results suggest that psychological distance may be a crucial element in resolving the conflict between ego, group, and system justifications. Implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.