Merit Based Values for Economic Success: A Compensatory Control Function of Ideology

Abstract

System Justification theory has long considered the motivational reasons for legitimizing the status quo. Recent work has identified a compensatory control mechanism that motivates the endorsement of `external' systems of control, or those systems found outside of individual aspects of the subject. This paper builds on this work by showing that people can use the individualized ideology of merit to satisfy the epistemic need to perceive personal control in life. Across three studies, we find strong empirical support for this prediction, showing that greater endorsement of merit based values for success is associated with greater perceptions of personal control leading to positive perceptions of future economic success (Study 1). Lowered levels of personal control can be attenuated by reaffirming the value of specific meritocratic methods for economic success, and this affirmation leads to a positive evaluation of future economic prospects (Study 2). Threats to merit based prescriptions for economic success, such as hard work and effort, lead to a decrease in perceived personal control (Study 3). Over three studies we show that merit based values directly influence perceptions of personal control and future economic success.