Class-Based Zero-Sum Beliefs
April 2025: Analysis
Background
This is a pilot of an experimental manipulation of painting the upper class as the culprit for class zero-sum outcomes. See doc in apr 2025 folder in google drive for more information.
Demographics
Race
df_cbzs_elg %>%
group_by(race) %>%
summarise(N = n()) %>%
ungroup() %>%
mutate(Perc = round(100*(N/sum(N)),2)) %>%
ungroup() %>%
kbl() %>%
kable_styling(bootstrap_options = "hover",
full_width = F,
position = "left")| race | N | Perc |
|---|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 1 | 0.33 |
| Asian | 17 | 5.67 |
| Black or African American | 44 | 14.67 |
| Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin | 18 | 6.00 |
| Middle Eastern or North African | 3 | 1.00 |
| Other (please specify) | 1 | 0.33 |
| White | 195 | 65.00 |
| multiracial | 20 | 6.67 |
| NA | 1 | 0.33 |
Gender
df_cbzs_elg %>%
mutate(gender = ifelse(is.na(gender) | gender == "","other",gender)) %>%
group_by(gender) %>%
summarise(N = n()) %>%
ungroup() %>%
mutate(Perc = round(100*(N/sum(N)),2)) %>%
ungroup() %>%
kbl() %>%
kable_styling(bootstrap_options = "hover",
full_width = F,
position = "left")| gender | N | Perc |
|---|---|---|
| man | 161 | 53.67 |
| other | 4 | 1.33 |
| woman | 135 | 45.00 |
Age
df_cbzs_elg %>%
summarise(age_mean = round(mean(age,na.rm = T),2),
age_sd = round(sd(age,na.rm = T),2)) %>%
kbl() %>%
kable_styling(bootstrap_options = "hover",
full_width = F,
position = "left")| age_mean | age_sd |
|---|---|
| 38.51 | 11.74 |
Education
df_cbzs_elg %>%
group_by(edu) %>%
summarise(N = n()) %>%
ungroup() %>%
mutate(Perc = round(100*(N/sum(N)),2)) %>%
ungroup() %>%
kbl() %>%
kable_styling(bootstrap_options = "hover",
full_width = F,
position = "left")| edu | N | Perc |
|---|---|---|
| noHS | 1 | 0.33 |
| GED | 78 | 26.00 |
| 2yearColl | 40 | 13.33 |
| 4yearColl | 136 | 45.33 |
| MA | 33 | 11.00 |
| PHD | 10 | 3.33 |
| NA | 2 | 0.67 |
Subjective SES
df_cbzs_elg %>%
group_by(ses) %>%
summarise(N = n()) %>%
ungroup() %>%
mutate(Perc = round(100*(N/sum(N)),2)) %>%
ungroup() %>%
kbl() %>%
kable_styling(bootstrap_options = "hover",
full_width = F,
position = "left")| ses | N | Perc |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Class | 48 | 16.00 |
| Lower Middle Class | 94 | 31.33 |
| Middle Class | 123 | 41.00 |
| Upper Middle Class | 33 | 11.00 |
| Upper Class | 2 | 0.67 |
Income
df_cbzs_elg %>%
ggplot(aes(x = income)) +
geom_bar() +
theme(panel.grid.major = element_blank(),
panel.grid.minor = element_blank(),
panel.background = element_blank(),
axis.ticks = element_blank(),
axis.line = element_line(color = "grey66"),
axis.text.y = element_text(color = "black"),
axis.text.x = element_text(color = "black",
face = "bold"),
axis.title.x = element_blank(),
axis.title.y = element_blank()) +
coord_flip()
Politics
Ideology
Participants were asked about the extent to which they subscribe to the following ideologies on a scale of 1-7 (select NA if unfamiliar): Conservatism, Liberalism, Democratic Socialism, Libertarianism, Progressivism.
means <- df_cbzs_elg %>%
dplyr::select(PID,ideo_con:ideo_prog) %>%
pivot_longer(-PID,
names_to = "ideo",
values_to = "score") %>%
filter(!is.na(score)) %>%
group_by(ideo) %>%
summarise(score = mean(score)) %>%
ungroup()
df_cbzs_elg %>%
dplyr::select(PID,ideo_con:ideo_prog) %>%
pivot_longer(-PID,
names_to = "ideo",
values_to = "score") %>%
filter(!is.na(score)) %>%
ggplot() +
geom_density(aes(x = score), fill = "lightblue") +
scale_x_continuous(limits = c(1,7),
breaks = seq(1,7,1)) +
geom_vline(data = means,mapping = aes(xintercept = score),
color = "black",
linetype = "dashed",
size = 1.1) +
theme(panel.grid.major = element_blank(),
panel.grid.minor = element_blank(),
panel.background = element_blank(),
axis.ticks = element_blank(),
axis.line = element_line(color = "grey66"),
axis.text.y = element_text(color = "black"),
axis.text.x = element_text(color = "black",
face = "bold")) +
facet_wrap(~ideo,nrow = 2)
Reflections
In a few sentences, please reflect on the ways in which the excerpt above describes how the economic system works?
Culprit condition
| reflection |
|---|
| The article states that upper class uses power to shape the economy in their favor. They lobby for laws that help them and hurt workers. They cut wages and send jobs overseas. The system is made to benefit them while working people struggle. |
| The upper class can hire lobbyists to advocate for tax breaks, to enact laws that don’t help the worker and they are able to afford to spend money on influencing elections. |
| This excerpt suggests that instead of a pure meritocracy, that richer people (i.e. the upper classes) gain money and power by effectively “rigging” the system through means such as lobbying. The upper classes also use their influence to shape policy in a way that’s fundamentally unfair to lower classes. |
| Upper class has a influence on wages and anti worker laws to outsource jobs. |
| It is stating that the people who are “richer” or well off are taking complete advantage of the lower class people. |
| The cycle of the rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer. The government system today gives more tax cuts and breaks to the rich, while trying to keep the poor poor by trying to defund much needed assistance. |
| The passage describes that when the higher class gains more, the working class gets left behind. They lobby for tax breaks and anti-working laws to put more money in their pockets. The working class makes less and has to fight harder to make money. |
| The richer are always on top. They make all the decisions and get all the benifits. |
| The excerpt argues that the elites have economic power over working class Americans. This power is exerted by lobbying efforts. Furthermore, this actions are deliberate and show the power of the elites. |
| The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. That’s the way the saying goes. And never has it been more truthful than today when billionaires are running the country and rigging the system in their favor. |
| The above excerpt describes an economic system in which the upper class has only gained further wealth and power by extorting the workers beneath them. This excerpt posits that this is not a byproduct of some other system, but rather that the exploitation of the working class has been done with intention by the upper class. |
| it describes it perfectly. the rich are perfectly happy to outsource all jobs. the rich would prefer if there was no minimum wage so they could make us work for free. the rich want us to be slaves |
| To put it brief basically the big companies and upper class makes most the dividends meanwhile the working class don’t gain much salary growth and still have to pay in taxes as well. If your manual labor and self employed that is. |
| The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Capitalism is a death cult, this is why the ultra rich want to go to space. They will either be killed by the poor or die on an unlivable planet unless the concoct an alternative to flee with their wealth. |
| So I believe this is saying that the upper class is purposefully trying to increase the already extensive gap between them and other classes. As a blue collar lower class worked I do genuinely believe this is happening. I have noticed even in just the past few years a change in the economy that clearly benefits the upper class. It’s funny, they look down on us but they do not realize they would be screwed without us. |
| The excerpt suggests that it is no accident, but methodical and intentional that the upper class gains more wealth within the American economic system. The working class pays for this due to a rigged system that puts them at a disadvantage. |
| Rich people get all the breaks and they will still keep getting richer while the rest of us struggle to pay for things. That’s how it’s always been. Elites don’t care about the middle or lower class people, they just do what they want and make money however they can |
| The economic system works in a way in which it is designed to benefit the upper class at the expensive of the lower class. This is done by design by the elites who control the people and make the laws which ultimately are designed to benefit them the most. |
| The upper class benefiting while the working class does not has sort of been happening and i do not think there really is much that can be done about it to change it or make the situation better |
| In general, it does seem to me that people with wealth are calling most of the shots in society. They have a stranglehold on how laws are formed, thanks to lobbyists. |
| The upper class often uses its wealth & influence to shape policies, markets & institutions. This shifts the burden on working people making it difficult to achieve upward mobility for the average person. |
| The upper class in America is now the government class. The wealthy have taken control of government at all levels such that they can now use government and its enforcement power to disadvantage economic outsiders and therefore enrich themselves and centralize their power. The economy is rigged against working class Americans because the government has been rigged against them and used to exclude them. |
| The upper class knowingly, and with purpose, enlarges their fortunes at the expense of the working class by outsourcing jobs, leaving the working class behind. This allows them to cut costs in production, paying people from other countries to do jobs cheaper, and therefor lowering the expenditures, and allowing more profits for themselves. |
| The above excerpt outlines an economic system in which the elite upper class has purposefully enacted strategies to keep the working class struggling, such as anti-worker laws and tax breaks for the wealthy. |
| The above describes an economic system where somebody loses when somebody else gains. The rich benefit at the expense of the lower classes.They do this by constructing an economic system that is beneficial to them without consideration for the way this effects other classes of people. |
| The American economic system is an ever widening gap between the few and the many. The unfettered greed and need for exponential gain from those few at the top is accelerating at a dangerously inhumane pace. Those controlling, rigging, and exploiting are reaching decadent levels that ultimately result in them gaming themselves. |
| Rich people are able to use their money and power to influence laws that make them richer and that make things worse for poor/working class people. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. |
| The upper class has taken advantage of working class, and that is not a surprise. The upper class has more power and is able to influence policies/economy and it’s been difficult for the working class to do anything. It just feels so unfair. |
| It describes an economic system, whereby the wealthy and rich use their power, influence and wealth to manipulate worker laws and regulations for their benefit, at the expense of the working class. They also use it to continue to expand their influence and advantages over worrking class Americans and hire lobbist to ensure that anti-worker intiatives are passed. They consoludate their expenses as well by shipping jobs oversees. |
| The above excerpt explains that the upper class has amassed much more wealth and influence over the working class while they have been left behind. The excerpt goes on to explain that this was intentional, and that it was done strategically to continue being in an advantageous position. |
| The excerpt above says that the upper class has expanded their wealth by creating an economy that slashes wages and outsources jobs for cheaper labor. They are essentially taking from the working class and hoarding wealth for themselves at the top and using politicians to create laws/ regulations that benefit them. |
| The passage above states the opinion that in a capitalistic system, the rich inevitably begin to exploit the system and it morphs into a situation where the rich get rich and the poor get poor. Kind of like what is happening now. |
| The rich exploit the working class in order to make maximum profit. They lobby congress for tax breaks and union busting laws. The working class are repeatedly left behind as the rich game the system. |
| I think it comes down to saying i have heard over and over again. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. The wealthy have rigged the system to ensure that they maintain and increase there wealth and this comes at the expense of the lower class. |
| The excerpt above describes that the economic system is rigged to benefit the wealthy class versus the working class. It states how in the last few years, the wealthy have gained more income while the working class has not made any gains |
| The upper class are shaping the economy to benefit them. They take advantage of tax breaks and job outsourcing. This can come as a disadvantage to the working class. |
| This article discusses how there has been an intentional and pervasive action by powerful elites to extract as much wealth as possible from the middle class |
| The excerpt above claims that as the upper class gets more successful the lower class suffers. It claims that these are strategic attacks by the upper class to keep their hold over the lower class. Examples being tax breaks and anti-worker laws to outsourcing jobs and slashing wages, all in the name of having the advantage over the lower class. |
| The upper class use their resources to outsource so that they can make more money. The upper class is set to be superior to the middle and lower class. |
| It is very clear at this point that the system works great for the rich and poorly for everyone else. We can see it in the numbers: the rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer. When you make enough money, you can find ways to have that money make more money without input. Everyone else just has to struggle to make ends meet. |
| The upper class appears to be rigging the system and in turn working people are paying the price as a result. It seems that lately the upper class has more wealth and influence more now than ever and in turn working class people are left behind. The upper class have used their influence to shape an economic system which benefits them and only them at the expense of those who make less money than they do. |
| The powerful, rich elites use their advantage over working class Americans to retain and expand their wealth, while the working class suffers. They use their influence and pull to shape laws, tax breaks, etc. that benefits them, while the working class pays higher taxes and works harder. |
| This is mostly accurate and also old hat. The left has been writing about how the world works for centuries now. The ruling class controls the culture to such a degree that every new liberal has to slowly work this out for themselves instead of it just being established knowledge. |
| While I agree that wealth and influence are a zero sum game (contrary to what many economists hold), I disagree with the intentionality expressed in this article, and think, even worse, the system has evolved in such a way that the rich and powerful do not have to be aware of where their wealth and power come from or who they are stealing it from. This article speaks of calculated strategies by powerful elites and I agree they do intentionally try to acquire and protect their wealth but they do so largely without thinking about the consequences, at least not too carefully. |
| The upper class are prone to using tactics that help benefit and maintain their wealth, while simultaneously suctioning wealth from working class Americans. The upper class not only try to acquire wealth, they also actively burden the lower class. |
| The main idea of the exerpt is that the wealth and influence of the upper class has come from and perpetuates the exploitation of the working class. The upper class has gotten rich off of the working class and uses their wealth and power to keep the working class poor and without opportunities to change their station. |
| The present economic system is one that has been practically constructed to benefit the upper class. Through tax breaks and other anti-worker policies, they have effectively created a system that enriches themselves at the expense of the working class. The income gap between the two classes will continue to widen as long as the upper class continues to manipulate the economy in their own favor. |
| The ultra-rich have found ways to use the system to get benefit for themselves. For example, Bill gates started a foundation that he himself has called “the business of charity”. The company Tesla makes the most money selling carbon credits. The use tax breaks while the dwindlng middle class pays all of the taxes. |
| In general, the upper class has the economy rigged in their favor. They have the ability to cut wages, move jobs overseas, influence laws and exploit the markets. It seems that the article is saying that are economic system is extractive, where the upper class takes money from the lower classes and consolidates it. |
| The wealthy are like Giants. They control who gets what. They control the means of production and what communities look like. They also are big and greedy. They don’t share much because they feel they need and are entitled to more food and resources than the normal people. They feel they are entitled to the most and they always grow in their greed. They get more tax breaks, more power, and more money. The normal people are at the whim of the Giants because they Giants determine jobs and wages and have the ability to gather with other Giants and control even more. It is an unfair, greedy, immoral structure. |
| Based on the excerpt, the economic system is designed in a way that only helps the upper class. The upper class has created tax breaks for themselves and has influenced decisions on lower wages and ati-worker laws. |
| It’s completely true when you consider the amount of money businesses make and how much their employees make. It’s a small percentage going to their workers and this is how the elite stay wealthy. They’ve always operated like this and I don’t see this ever changing because these wealthy people also control our government and elections. |
| It appears that the economic system is rigged. The laws are designed so that the very wealthy receive tax breaks as well as other benefits so they gain financially while the working class pay the price for it. |
| The economic system is designed so that the rich get richer. Whenever there is a “tax break” it’s really just the richest people in society paying less in taxes while the middle and lower class continue to get hammered. People are forced to work for the elites in this country, they don’t have a choice. As Jeff Bezos makes over a million dollars a minute his employees struggle to put food on the table, but he will fight tooth and nail to make sure those same people can’t form a union. And until the people rise up and do something about it the upper crust will continue using regular people to fatten their wallets. |
| The upper class have employed several strategies that help them become richer at the expense of the working class. They outsource jobs, cut wages, and lobby for tax breaks and anti-worker laws while their politicians argue for equality and financial freedom and security for all so the can appeal to the upper class and stay in power themselves. The system only benefits the rich. |
| The excerpt demonstrates how the upper class influences the economic system through lobbying and policy-making to secure their wealth accumulation, exploiting the working class and resulting in increased inequality. |
| The system reward large corporations and thereby CEO’s and Upper Class by giving them tax breaks. There is also the astronomical salaries that the Ultra rich seem to always get raises of and mean while cost and benefits are cut for the expendable worker. And all of this is exceled by con men and yes men selling the Elites the next big thing that is undoubtedly a gimmick, but the rich stay rich and poor are an inconvenience to them. |
| The upper class is gaining the system and making it to where they are making more money. There are many ways that they are doing this with tax breaks, cutting wages, and others. The working class is struggling while the upper class is gaining. |
| The excerpt emphasizes how the upper class exploits the economic system by lobbying for favorable legislation , lowering wages, and outsourcing jobs. These actions are ultimately indicated to enrich themselves while systematically disadvantaging working class Americans. |
| The rich get richer off of the working people by lobbying for tab breaks, cutting wages, and outsourcing jobs to other countries. This way, they can shape the economic system, so it benefits them and everyone else loses. |
| The passage describes the gap as intentional. The way that the system is, is because the “elites” have made calculated strategies to make sure they reap the advantages; however, that the working class do not get the same. They have done this intentonlally. |
| The excerpt argues that the economic system is deliberately shaped by the upper class to serve their own interests. It suggest that through lobbying, legislative influence, and corporate strategies like outsourcing and wage suppression, elites have actively built a system that attracts wealth from the working class. Rather than being a passive result of market forces, these outcomes are portrayed as intentional and exploitative. |
| The rich people or top 1% become richer from the work of the lower class. Our country has a strong wealth gap that is designed to hurt the lower class at the benefit of the wealthy |
| The excerpt describes how the economic system is structured to favor the upper class. It emphasizes how policies like tax breaks, anti-worker legislation, and offshoring have been influenced by wealthy indivduals to maximize their own profits while undermining the lower classes rights and wages. |
| This excerpt describes how the upper class is using every advantage they have to become more wealthy, which in turn takes money from the working class. If the working class have lower wadges and must pay more for consumer goods, that money goes to the upper class who owns those companies in some capacity. |
| The elites have built the system to benefit them and harm others. They have made it where they will keep the poor poor and only give them false hope. Tell them that working is noble and moral, so that the rich will never have to do any of it. |
| This excerpt describes the economic system as fundamentally shaped by the upper (capitalist) class in accord with their class interests and against the interests of the workers. It describes this as a calculated process. |
| the rich have indeed taken and implemented steps towards getting richer at the expense of working americans. they exploit immigrants by paying them lower waged and no benefits for dangerous or strenuous manual labor jobs. the rich has also used their influence to get politicians to pass laws that benefit their financial growth |
| I think it’s saying for the rich to get richer the poor has to get poorer. |
| The upper class can benefit more than the lower class in the form of tax breaks, with their wages often more than the lower class. |
| The problem with this excerpt, like the questions on the previous page, is that the upper class is spoken about as if all members of the group are the same. The lower class is treated the same way. That said, the above excerpt isn’t wrong. Many members of the upper class do rig the system to line their pockets. They also attempt to prevent people in lower classes from rising up. |
| In many ways, the rich benefit from the system while lower class people tend to suffer as a result. If rich people slash wages in companies, this can trickle down to worse finances for lower class workers. |
| According to the excerpt, it shows that directly and indirectly the working class pay for the inhumane acts of the upper class. And this inhumane acts are possible because of the influence of the upper class in the society. The upper class are only after what benefits them without putting the working class into consideration. |
| The passage underscores how the upper class influences economic systems to secure their wealth, enacting laws and strategies that put working people at a disadvantage, demonstrating a system crafted for their gain at the expense of others. |
| From this excerpt, it is obvious that the upper class has created a system to gain more wealth at the expense of the working class Americans |
| Crony capitalism is what is being described. Elites do use their influence to benefit themselves. The passage suggests several ways this is being accomplished but leaves out many other ways such as: illegal immigration, “no show” jobs for “laptop class,” using minimum wage to keep unskilled / disabled / unproductive Americans unemployed and to destroy small businesses, tax treatment of small businesses, requiring purchases online or from “big box” stores in “lockdowns”, and absolutely myriad ways. I do agree with the passage that elites are rigging the system. The tone of the passage suggests I disagree with the analysis of how. |
| The excerpt describes how the economic system’s bias toward the upper class works. It highlights how the upper class use their influence to shape policies that widen the wealth gap between them and the working class. |
| This article describes the economy as working primarily for the upperclass, through years or lobbying and changing policy, to strictly benefit them. This comes with a cost, directly impacting the working class, who continue to struggle more today than in in the past. This system has no end it sight and it of grave concern to the economy, |
| The passage illustrates how the upper class strategically manipulates economic systems to preserve their dominance using tactics such as lobbying for beneficial legislation and outsourcing jobs. This exploitation leads to systemic inequality placing a disproportionate burden on working class individuals who suffer from these deliberate strategies aimed at increasing elite wealth and power |
| First, I think th economic system is more complicated than above and so this excerpt only reflects a small snapshot of the economy according to one source so I am going to reflect on an economic system as it pertains to the article. I think that an economic system like described in the article, the economy is designed so the rich can get richer and the middle class becomes poor. Outsourcing jobs for example reduces the number of jobs available and so those who were employed but laid off desperately seek employment and during the exhausting and usually long job search use up all their savings and maybe even have to take out loans (provided by the upper class at horrible interest rates). As described above this policy leaves much of the middle class destitute and gives the upper class more advantage especially as these middle class individuals are desperate for jobs and will take anything included jobs at lower wages than they had been previously. I don’t know enough to talk about tax breaks for the elite, but it seems that they lobby for more taxes for the lower classes and so take home wages are reduced and the lower classes have reduced wealth. In other words, an economic system like above is designed to reduce the financial freedom of the lower class while increasing the finances of the upper class. But as I said, the economy is more complicated than displayed above and my statement only reflects an economy that exists solely as described in the article. |
| The statement on which the argument is based is self-evident; the argument itself, that this state is “neither coincidence nor accident…the system [is] constructed…to extract from the working class, knowingly”, is more subjective, yet I would argue is implicitly obvious. The only real argument to the contrary is that “tax breaks…anti worker laws…slashing wages…[and] outsourcing jobs” are things which result in a “trickle down” effect which benefits working people as well. Besides the fact that this is, anecdotally, not something one may observe (working people have, indeed, “been left behind”), it is clear how each of these things benefits billionaires much more heavily than workers: tax breaks either apply only to corporations, or very marginally to workers’ incomes; anti-workers’ rights laws objectively exist and are implicitly bad for workers (and, evidently, good for someone else); outsourced jobs bypass the workers who would supposedly benefit from a trickle-down effect; and a complete lack of wage growth statistically demonstrates, in the only place a trickle-down effect could be quantitatively observed, that there is no such thing. |
| Yes I believe it is true that the rich are exploited the poor. Right now Trump and Musk are killing the government by firing everyone in an effort to “save money.” But killing those jobs affects the poor people as now they have a harder time accessing necessary programs like welfare and social security and they will struggle as a result. Meanwhile Musk canceled a lot of government contracts so he can take that money and put it in that stupid space fund and have more money for himself. It is just ridiculous at what the rich people and corporations are doing these days. |
| The economic system works to favor the wealthy. They make sure laws benefit them and not the poor. They have friends in high places who help them out. |
| The rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer. This is being done by lobbying for tax breaks and anti[worker laws. The upper class is using their influence to shape the economy. |
| The upper class has routinely used its power and influence to lobby and prop up politicians that will go along with the rigging and manufacturing of our laws and policies in order to ensure favoritism for themselves in spite of the majority, the low and middle classes. our entire economic system works on the greed and exploitation of the less fortunate in service to the few at the top to turn maximum profit |
| The excerpt paints a picture of an economic system that isn’t fair or naturally occurring. Instead, it suggests that the upper class actively manipulates the rules and structures – through things like lobbying for favorable laws and business practices – to increase their own wealth and power while simultaneously disadvantaging working people through lower wages and fewer job opportunities. The economist quoted emphasizes that this isn’t just a byproduct, but a deliberate and ongoing extraction of wealth from the working class. |
| The excerpt describes how our economic system works by pointing out how much control the upper class has in shaping the system itself. It talks about how they use their power to change laws both in their own favor and at the expense of the working class at the same time. This causes us to end up with an economic system that gives more benefits and profit to the upper class and less and less profit and fairness/equality to the working class. |
| This sounds like a Democratic narrative on the economy. The rich are trampling on the backs of the poor workers. |
| The excerpt highlights how the upper class manipulates the economic system to safeguard their wealth and power, primarily by implementing policies that disadvantage working people. Through lobbying for favorable tax breaks and enacting anti-worker legislation, they create an environment that allows them to maintain or increase their wealth, often at the expense of fair wages and job security for the working class. This systemic exploitation underscores a deliberate effort by elites to perpetuate inequality and limit opportunities for those in lower socioeconomic positions. |
| Upper class people control the entire economic system, from labor, to prices, and supply as well. They control salaries and wages in a way to maximize their gain, necessarily taking away from those at the bottom. |
| The upper class has always shaped our economy because they are the ones leaving money trails as well as constructing our tax system. Lower class individuals can only gain so much from the working class due to their own expenses. |
| The excerpt is highlighting the economic system as working for the upper class far more than the working class. The upper class is constantly trying and succeeding at becoming more wealthy while the working class has benefits very little. |
| The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. It’s what this country is about unfortunately now. People will follow leaders just to own the party or people they dislike. The cut off their nose to spite their face. |
| This is a same old same old song and dance type message I’ve heard my entire life. The rich get richer off the backs of the poor. |
| Due to either lack of awareness and demotivation, the upper classes have more political influence and pressure than the lower classes. Their primary goals are making more money and keeping their power by removing more and more from employees. |
| Nepotism, lies, fear mongering, unjust laws, hiding behind walls and red tape, militarizing the judicial system while enabling the military to have access to powerful weapons, sex trafficking, pedophilia, drug abuse. All crimes the “elite” are guilty of. Law of man is one thing and they’ll go to a hellish landscape when they “die” |
| Upper class uses the work of the lower classes in order to become more rich. They use their influence over society to ensure that they are able to continue exploiting the poor. |
| they are making it difficult for money to reach the middlke class, because they have access to money to economic cash flow they tend to go overboard with hoarding |
| The excerpt suggests that the upper class has purposefully forced the working class into a lower class permanently. |
| I somewhat agree with the article. It illustrates the ways the economic system is exploited through political influence and money. |
| The excerpt argues that the economic system in the US is intentionally structured to favor the upper class at the expense of working people it suggests that the wealthy use their power to influence laws, suppress wages, and shift jobs overseas, all to maintain and grow their own wealth, rather than being a natural result of the market, these outcomes are portrayed as deliberate strategies to exploit the labor and resources of the working class. |
| I think the economic system is very flawed and needs to be reworked. The elite have too much control over the economy and policies. |
No Culprit condition
For this condition, I also asked chat-gpt to rate the agreement (1 = Strongly disagreed to 5 = Strongly agreed) that the participants expressed towards the prompt. I’ll add that in here for us to take a look.
| agree_gpt | reflection |
|---|---|
| 4 | The problem isn’t people exploiting capitalism, it’s capitalism itself. |
| NA | I wish we would not get taxed because the government is creating so much money that the tax is almost pointless |
| 1 | I mean, someone is to blame for economic inequality and this seems like it is passing the buck and allowing upper classes and those with power to abdicate responsibility |
| 5 | The economic system works in a way that benefits the upper class of America while taking away protections from the working class. |
| 3 | I agree to a point. Certain governments have made it a mission to reward their benefactors, and in doing so they alter tax codes, and other business laws to greater benefit these people. But it still comes own to a persons ethical code on whether or not hat will take advantage of these systems. |
| 2 | The claim here is that the “upper class folks” were, aww shucks, just already standing around being “upper class folks” when rules were put in place that benefit them and harm the working class. Just a coincidence, funny how that happens. |
| 4 | The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. The system has been so rigged to help the wealthy that the system itself broke. |
| 4 | Tax systems and the government has made it easier for wealthy people to remain and grow in their wealth while working Americans are struggling to climb up the economic ladder. They state that this is not a result of the wealthy class but a result of taxes and capitalism |
| 4 | It’s unfortunate that the economic changes have come at the expense of working class people and families. They need a financial break more than the upper class. I don’t fault the upper class, if I were one of them, I would want to benefit as much as possible too. But I’m not, I’d like to see some financial help tax wise and with the cost of goods and gas help others. |
| 5 | the excerpt above claims that the economic system happens to benefit the wealthy, but not purposefully, more so unintentionally. the wealthy are not responsible for the wealth that they have accumulated, they just happened to be in the right place at the right time. it acknowledges that there are economic policies that have made things worse for the working class, but they are just responding to a capitalist system. |
| 5 | While it may appear that upper class people are responsible for the lower class being “left behind,” that is not the case. The fact of the matter is that the economy and laws favor the upper class, and that they are simply in a favorable position as a result. |
| 5 | Labor protections and laws have changed to benefit the wealthy at the costs of working class Americans |
| 1 | I think this is a very biased argument, and I generally don’t agree that the rich becoming richer has no consequences on the working class. I think the distribution of this wealth is important, and that there should be no person or group of people that can have more money than the working or poor classes. |
| 4 | The blurb above isn’t trying to place blame on the upper class for the economic woes, but rather the system itself. I don’t think you can fault another human being for making the most out of their economic life, but it’s also difficult to live and see the downtrodden try to maintain happy, healthy lifestyles. |
| 5 | The excerpt focuses on certain structural aspects of the economy that have worked to shape outcomes for working class people. Most importantly, automation and global competition have enriched the upper class while leading to lower wages for the working class. |
| 5 | The wealthy have been getting richer over the last few years. It’s moreso that they happen to be I’m the right position rather than harming regular workers. |
| 5 | I fully believe that this is true, with rampant disregulation of labor protections and laws along with tax cuts for corporations and the top 1% the wages have stagnented. The rich line their pockets while the bottom of us starve. |
| 4 | The system is set up so that the wealthy people can continue to stay wealthy and increase their wealth. The working class in middle class don’t have a great chance to get ahead with the way our system is set up. They typically stay stagnant. |
| 1 | In this excerpt, the writer argues that upper class folks are getting richer but working people are not. But, the excerpt suggests the rich people aren’t to blame, but rather the economic capitalist system. The thing is, the wealthy PAY FOR (lobbying) politicians to vote for laws that favor them with tax cuts, etc..To suggest that the upper class and wealthy aren’t to blame is a blatant lie. |
| 4 | The above statement reflects on how the economic system works by saying the upper class gains more wealth and working people suffer and get left behind. They say people were in the right position when the system was put in place. |
| 4 | The system is rigged from the start. No one is to blame, some just get ahead better than others. These are the cards we’re just dealt. |
| 4 | The excerpt says that the economic system is just responding to capitalist inputs. It just so happens to benefit the wealthy more than working class people, “just because.” |
| 2 | Though it is absolutely true that the upper class has pulled further and further ahead of the working class over time, I think its not accurate to say that the upper class “happen to be in the right position when the system was put in place.” That leaves a lot of room for chance in a system that’s actually run by money, favors, bribes, and corruption. |
| 1 | The excerpt describes the economic system as if it is a natural process, that things just “happen” and no one is to blame. It’s an obviously biased and unconvincing piece of propaganda. |
| 2 | The economic system is shaped by capitalist forces of greed. They make tax cuts, lobby for dangerous deregulation, and are union busters. The rich get rich while the working class gets screwed. The rich take no responsibility for these outcomes, because rich people are dogshit people. |
| 4 | I tend to agree with the statement that the working class are left behind when the upper class gain more wealth but also agree that these gains don’t necessarily come at the cost of the working class. Giving tax breaks to the upper class, for example, financially benefits them but it provides no change for the working class. No change is not the same as doing active harm to the working class. |
| 4 | What this is telling me is that it’s just coincidence that the rich keep getting richer in the poor keep getting poor |
| 3 | I am 50/50 because the richer do provide jobs for middle class and such, however they also take advantage of the system and have access to do this due to their money and power in general. I believe if they were taxed more and it went to the middle class it would help others overall. |
| 4 | So basically the article states that the upper class because of these factors; profit motive, automation and global competition. Taxes and deregulation benefit the upper class and harms lower but isn’t their fault |
| 5 | This excerpt designates the United States of America’s economical inequality as being systematic problems as the root cause rather than the upper class, who happen to just benefit from it. It lists evolving tax laws, deregulation, weaker labor protections, weaker employment laws, and a system responding to capitalist desires of profit, automation (cutting labor out), and widespread global competition. |
| 5 | The excerpt describes how the system is stacked in the favor for the upper class. But it says that it’s not because it was planned that way, but because the rules were built to benefit them and that they were in the right place at the right time. It is saying that it’s not about rich people being evil but it’s the tax laws and weak labor protections that helped them stay ahead while working class people got left behind. |
| 5 | It says the economy helps rich people more than working people, but it’s rather something that just happens and it’s no one’s fault. It also says that rich people happen to benefit more because of how the system works, and any harm to workers is not intentional. |
| 3 | According to the excerpt, the upper class have gained more wealth while the lower class feel like they may have been left behind and suffer do to the upper class being wealthy. |
| 4 | The economic system works by different attributes of capitalist forces. These attributes such as evolving tax laws and employment laws, the wealthy are able to experience more wealth because they were in a good position when the system was put in force. |
| 3 | In the excerpt above, the writer attempts to displace the blame from the upper class by saying that due to tax laws, deregulations, and other instruments out of their control—they are not the affliction to the lower class. The article does neglect to point out that the upper class is making these laws |
| 2 | The system was designed by the wealthy for the wealthy. Inherently, that means the upper class play a hand in this deliberate disparity. Taxes are never in the working class’s favor and there are no programs being proposed to resolve the wealth gap. |
| 4 | The current system favors the upper class simply due to favorable conditions at the time for those individuals. While the working class struggles, those in the upper class benefit from the various factors that impact the overall economic picture. Regulations and laws favor certain ideas, like capitalism and profits, which at the same time shows disfavor to those who are a part of the working class just by the way things are set up. |
| 4 | This is just a display of capitalism that is unregulated will turn out. This just shows how every system needs regulation in order to keep the population happy and make success and happiness more accessible to everyone. |
| 4 | The excerpt reflects how the current economic system is dictated by profits and greed, but it posits that the upper class isn’t deliberately harmful but rather a cog in the machine that is operating as it was designed. |
| 4 | This excerpt states that the economy works by money flowing upwards towards the richest in the upper class. The upper class have more wealth and influence and because of this and the profit incentives laws and regulations are not imposed which negatively impacts the working class |
| 5 | The wealthier gets wealthier while the working class gets poorer because of a capitalist and profit devoted economic system. The upper class gets more relaxed tax laws and the working class gets weaker labor and employment laws thus causing this economic system. |
| 4 | The upper class have gained more wealth compared to the lower working class people because the economy did well over all. Not because they took advantage of the lower class. |
| 4 | The economic system explained above states that the wealthy are just lucky to be in the right place at the right time, and have no fault for the struggles of the working class. |
| 4 | The excerpt states that evolving tax laws and deregulation as well as weaker labor protections and employment laws have contributed to an economic system that favors the upper class. |
| 4 | That upper class people doesn’t have the responsibility of where they will end up. They sometimes happen to be at the right place at the right time and it just falls into their lap. |
| 5 | Capitalism rewards those in the upper class by continuing to give them money and incentive, which in turn hurts the lower class. Neither class is to blame, they are both simply results of how the system of capitalism works. |
| 4 | According to the article, the working class tends to lose out when the rich people make more money. The rich people happen to be in the right place at the right time. |
| 5 | The excerpt explains that today’s economy is set up in a way that naturally benefits the wealthy, not because they are trying to hurt anyone, but because the system favors them. Things like new tax laws. less regulation, and weaker worker protections nhave made it easier for the rich to gain even more wealth and power. Meanwhile, regular working people have been let behind-not because of any one person’s action, but because of how the economy is built to reward profits and efficiency above all else. |
| 4 | The system is designed for the wealthy to benefit off the economic systerm through capitalization and the laborers and working class getting hurting due to growing their wealth at a much slower rate. |
| 3 | The upper class seems to benefit, without trying, from the depreciation of the middle and working class. This can come from a combination of not only luck, but skill in manipulating people and things around them with persuasion. |
| 5 | Our economic system in America works by benefitting the upper class through tax cuts and other benefits while removing benefits from the lower classes. Working class Americans have had protections removed like labor protections, making it so that they have to work harder for less money. |
| 5 | The upper class benefits more from changes in the economy such as tax laws, weaker labor protections and employment laws. This leaves the middle class behind without malice on the part of the wealthy. |
| 2 | It’s in the wealthy upper class’s interests to keep the working class poorer in order to maintain their status, so the upper class will not do anything to work towards an equal economic standing. |
| 4 | People that were already in a more desirable position benefited more than people who weren’t |
| 5 | I find this to be true, look at the world we live in, the average American is either having troubles with their bills or trying to make ends meet, while the rich and powerful keeps growing |
| 5 | Upper class people do no willfully take advantage of lower classes. They have gained more wealth and influence because of the economic system that is in place. This system of profit motives is the main reason. |
| 5 | The excerpt above describes the current economic system as one in which it benefits the upper class more then that lower class. The excerpt does not place blame on any group or individual but rather the system, laws, and rules. These rules are helping the upper class to out pace the lower class and wealthier people are playing within these rules. |
| 4 | It says how tax laws and deregulation have made it easier for the wealthy to make even more money off of their businesses. They aren’t paying their employees any lesser than before, but that they are just more profitable now while the employees are in a more stationary spot. in regards to income. |
| 3 | the economic system is very much a tug of war. As politics move to help the middle and lower classes the uppper class suffers. Then the upper class does something to gain more power and money and the middle and lower classes suffer. It will never be a system in which everyone can survive. |
| 4 | Weaker labor protection and laws, they use taxes and deregulation, for the upper class to win. They think lower class is losing. |
| 5 | the excerpt argue that the current economic system driven by capitalist forces like profit motives and globaliaztion has led to a widening wealth gap |
| 5 | Being born into wealth seems to be the only way to actually attain it nowadays. Working hard simply doesn’t cut it, especially since our system favors the rich and wealthy at the expense of everyone else. The economic system is the result of the influence of the wealthy on it, the working people don’t have much of a say in things overall. |
| 4 | The economic system is based on profit for businesses, corporations, it is not based on profit for the working class. Our economy is a capitalist system as opposed to communism.Workers bear the brunt of increased profit for the companies. |
| 5 | The economic system primarily benefits the upper class due to significant structural forces such as profit-driven capitalism, automation, and global market pressures. These forces have shaped this system and rewarded those already positioned to benefit from it. |
| 3 | The excerpt provides some logical backing to those with more, while working class Americans who once had more no longer do. Because the middle class in addition to the lower class is being completely encumbered, the rich are “in the right position”. I would contest that there’s not a benevolence present in the upper class. I would argue that there is something psychological that keeps us clinging to our stations, and that those stations are completely imbalanced to real resources. |
| 4 | I think that the excerpt is stating that the upper class is not directly responsible for the working class being left behind. The upper class have access to more resources and end up in a better position to take advantage of changing systems in the economy, while also benefiting from the changes. The working class feel the effects of the changing systems more than the upper class do and do not have as much resources to weather the changes (and are more affected in cases like weaker labor protection.) |
| 5 | The system helps the upper class more because of things like tax rules, less worker protection and new technology. The upper class is not responsible for this it just works out this way. The working class is left behind because the system favors those at the top. |
| 5 | The article describes that the upper class has gained wealth in recent years. This is not at the fault of the upper class it is just how the economic system works. Tax laws, weaker labor protections and employment laws helped shift the economic system and who it benefits. |
| 4 | I feel it works as if the rich get richer while the lower class gets less to and i feel it should change. |
| 5 | Due to current economic conditions and the current laws on the books, it was the natural outcome of things that richer Americans took advantage of. Until a shake up happens of the capitalist system we current live in, there is no change to this distribution of resources |
| 4 | This piece describes the current situation in which the wealthy are better able than working people to take advantage of the current economic climate. The piece has an implied bias against capitalism, as it equates the global economic system that enriches the wealthiest classes with capitalist forces. The underlying thesis of the piece is that globalist economics benefit the wealthy and harm the working class. |
| 5 | The upper class has been thriving because of an economic system responding to the forces of profit motive, automation, and global competition. Deregulation, evolving tax laws, weaker labor protections, and employment laws have shaped the economy in favor of the upper class. |
| 5 | The economic system responds to capitalist forces which rewards the wealthy rather than the working class. Many factors play into forming the system which weight heavily toward the wealthy and against the working class. It is the way the system works, not the individual intent of the wealthy. |
| 1 | It states that the upper class has seen more of an increase in overall wealth, while the working people remain stagnant do to weak protections and laws. It also states that this is not done purposefully, and I disagree entirely. |
| 5 | This excerpt alleges that the wealthy benefit from the current economic system far more than the working class through no fault of their own simply because the system already works that way. |
| 5 | The excerpt here is absolutely true. There is no doubt the rich have become richer and the poor have become poorer or remain the same. The economy is built upon a pyramid, no matter how one make view it. At the bottom level are the poor, the working class. The 2nd level are the management and those who are “working their way to the top.” Then there is the top. The top pull in all of the money, the benefits, and the fame. There is not much that they do, regularly. They become well known and richer. While, in fact, the bottom 2 levels of the period lose or slowly, very slowly gain. |
| 5 | It talks about how the economic system favors the upper class due to tax laws, deregulation, and weaker labor protections. It talks about how systemic changes have benefited the wealthy more than working people which is leaving them behind. Also that wealthy people just happened to be in the right position to take advantage of the system when changes were put in place. |
| 5 | The excerpt explains that the economic system benefits the upper class not because of personal intent but due to large forces like profit motives and policy shifts. it show how system naturally favors those already in power while leaving working class people behind often without anyone intentionally causing harm. |
| 5 | Because of changing laws and bad worker protection, the upper class kind of fell into having a large gap between classes, but they did not intentionally cause it. |
| 4 | Upper class people have been able to make more money in our capitalist society, but it has not come at the expense of working class people. Broadly, there have been changes to our economic system over the years which have disproportionately benefited the upper class, but it was not on the backs of working class people. They were simply in the right place at the right time. |
| 5 | The wealthy have become wealthier, even though the working class has stagnated or become poorer. This is because we live in a capitalistic society where profit serves as the driving force. Our economic system is built to profit the upper class much more than the working class. |
| 2 | The rich and powerful have occupied most places in the political system. Our government is run by the rich and powerful who only look out for themselves and they do not care to help anyone middle-class or below. |
| 5 | The excerpt describes highlights how the upper class has gained a skewed advantage from aspect of capitalism such as profits, automation, and competition though unplanned. It stresses that certain systemic forces such as deregulation, tax policy as well as weakened labor protection normalize wealth accumulation for the very few, while living working class Americans behind to an increasing extent. |
| 5 | The law increasingly helps protect and benefit the upper class over working Americans. The upper class does not conspire for these outcomes, but the system is set up to benefit them. |
| 3 | The passage says we shouldn’t blame wealthy people for the plight of lower-class Americans. It is true that people’s position in society starts off based on luck. But the passage above fails to note that the wealthy try to maintain the status quo, and many actively fight for legislation that benefits them at the expense of the lower classes. |
| 5 | the economy favors the wealthy because of laws and global markets. laws like deregulation and weak labor protections make it easier for the upper class to become wealthy and its makes it harder for working people to keep up |
| 4 | Upper class has gained more wealth but working class has not even if it not intentional |
| 4 | The upper class reflects an economic system that benefits them and in turn,makes the economic system worse for the working class. |
| 4 | It states how the wealthy are in a financial position where they can take advantage of the economic system of capitalism in the United States. This is the opposite of how life is for the working class. Working class has no savings or cash of any substance that would allow them to take advantage of say the stock market when it’s a perfect time to buy Etc. |
| 3 | Even if you accept as true the statement that the rich don’t intend to harm working class americans, then they can and still should accept the responsibility to right that wrong. |
| 3 | It reflects the Industrial Revolution, and not much has changed fundamentally since. Capitalism still rules, and people at the top are predominantly motivated by personal profit and success, with little regard for the working class. |
| 4 | When companies do well, they don’t livestock that into employees, they pit it into their own pockets (stock buyback, upper level bonuses). They cut costs by shirking safety rules and get rid of benefits for workers. |
| 1 | The upper class and wealthy control the political machine, they are not victims of circumstance they seek out this behavior devoting their lives and wallets to the preservation of it all. They are complicit in the authoritarian takeover of the world. When they originally set out with their vision I assume many do not think about exploiting the worker, it’s just that when they do rise and become prominent business figures they have no problems then exploiting the worker globally to maximize profit not ever accounting for externalities or the damage they are causing to the environment and humanity. With the advent of AI and robotics, I’m afraid this class that has been taking advantage of others with do so even more on a perpetual scale.. |
| 2 | I can agree that the rich are “in the right place at the right time”, but this is not by accident. They have actively engaged in political manuvering through lobbyists and buy out right political blackmail to have laws enacted that contributes to these “capitlist forces” that just so happen to benefit them |
| 5 | The excerpt above is nothing but the truth. In recent tims the working class has suffered immensely an the upper cass has acquired increased wealth. It is just like a situation of two parallel lines that can never meet. The tax laws hinder the working class more than the upper class and seniors. There has been a nationwide call for a situatonal change, most especially in the US. To correct the incorrect. |
| 5 | The upper class does not bear responsibility for working people being left behind because broad shifts (from tax laws to deregulation, and to weaker labor protections and employment laws) have been shaped to benefit the upper class more than working class Americans. |
| NA | The working class has gained more wealth and influence than ever before over the lower working class people. |
| 4 | It is saying that there are bigger gaps than ever and as people get wealthier, others get poorer. They are pretty much saying that the middle class is gone. |
| 4 | While the lower class is made to pay more taxes and deal with less labor protection the rich just keep getting richer. |
| 2 | They are avoiding blaming the upper class and wealthy. They do the absolute minimum to comply with laws and protection policies for the lower class. They are shifting blame. |
That’s pretty good. Let’s see how this score correlates with the manipulation check.
df_cbzs_elg %>%
filter(cond == "noculprit") %>%
ggplot(aes(x = agree_gpt,y = responsible)) +
geom_smooth(method = "lm") +
geom_point(alpha = 0.2) +
theme(panel.grid.major = element_blank(),
panel.grid.minor = element_blank(),
panel.background = element_blank(),
axis.ticks = element_blank(),
axis.line = element_line(color = "grey66"),
axis.text.y = element_text(color = "black"),
axis.text.x = element_text(color = "black",
face = "bold"),
axis.title.x = element_text(color = "black",
face = "bold"))## `geom_smooth()` using formula = 'y ~ x'
That’s pretty good.
Control
| reflection |
|---|
| The economy has many factors and influences. Supply and demand and technology play a factor. The economy is a living system without a blueprint. |
| There are a number of factors that impact the economy, and it constantly changes. There is not one specific thing that influences it. |
| The economy is complex and not determined by a single factor. The economy is impacted by multiple things, such as shifts in supply and demand and advancements in technology. economy is a living system that adapts and changes. |
| There is not an actual set market that is a universal truth. Consumer sentiments and wishes change all the time and the market must adapt to it. Companies go out of business, trends change and the market will react to resources becoming less available. |
| I could not agree with this more. The economy is a forever evolving institution that has to adapt to all aspects of life. Most importantly, technology. The world is driven by technology and being able to adapt to new technology is key in this modern economy. |
| The Economy is complex It has manty variables. and is constantly adjusting to them., |
| The economy today has many different parts that all contribute to the strengths and weaknesses of how it operates. It is a system that requires participation from everyone, therefore no single entity can have complete control of it. |
| I think it’s all about many groups wokring together. They are all cogs in a bigger system, icnluding the rich. they do their own thing but htey are all intertwined so they affect each other. |
| They describe it as a living system. Therefore it has a flow that can be up and down, and having to adapt with no rulebook. |
| The excerpt above attributes the outcomes and fluctuations of the economy to a number of factors, such as policy decisions, trends, etc. It describes the economy as a “living system” without a diagram or guide, signifying its largely unpredictable nature, both in terms of what impacts it and what it impacts. |
| that the economy is complex and no single group or organization can dictate the flow of the economy. |
| We are often told by politicians by either party that they will “fix” the economy, or that one party or another is better at handling the economy. The reality is as described in this passage. An economy is made up of innumerable parts and one person or party has very little control over how good or bad the economy is. |
| It’s unclear how everything’s going to work out, it’s all a system of who can out perform the next person |
| The excerpt describes that the economy is shaped by several different forces, not just one force such as a government or trends. |
| The economy is a fluid system. It is influenced and changed by different factors. No one factor influences the economy 100%. |
| no one person or group can control the system which makes it pretty good |
| Economy is constantly evolving. Many factors come into play to shape it. |
| The modern economic system is influenced by many different factors. These factors evolve over time and is constantly changing. |
| The world economy is a complex, interconnected system made of many disparate parts and influences. If one part changes, there is a ripple effect across the system, big or large. |
| the economic system fluctuates immensely with a variety of factors that can not be predicted for the most part. |
| The excerpt above describes the economy as being shaped by a number of factors. These factors include Technology, policy, and global trends. |
| The economy is fluid and has many moving parts such as market trends, governmental decisions, and global economic trends. Supply and demand also affects the economy, and this is constantly shifting. |
| our modern economy is shaped by technological advances and government policy decisions global trends and the free market itself like supply and demand. no single factor or group determines the prices and the market overall. also regulation can lead to both good and bad pricing and economies. |
| That many things influence the modern economy. Everything from tech innovation, policies, global trends and the market itself. That many forces interact with each other to change the economy for better or worse |
| The economy is always evolving and changing. This is true and it will never stay one way. We are all connected globally. Good and bad decisions from leaders effect everyone. Right now there are many different factors that have contributed to inflation and raising cost. It makes it harder for people to save or put away for retirement. |
| The economy is very complex and constantly evolving. it factors in political policy, market dynamics, the globe, and technology. there’s also the forces of supply and demand at play. The economy is basically it’s own organism |
| No single factor determines the way the global economy functions. Various forces, such as changes in supply and demand, affect the economy. It continuously adapts to changing conditions. |
| The excerpt above states that the economy is always adapting and evolving to keep up with ever-changing conditions. Many factors influence this, not just one major factor, person, or group. Some of these factors are technological advancements, changes in supply and demand, and policy changes. In order to keep up with all of these changes, the economy has to keep adapting. |
| The economy has many aspects that are continually changing and adapting. Technology implementation, regulations, global trends are a few examples of the many influences. The economy does not have a clear plan or a central planning apparatus. |
| The economy is dynamic and living. It is almost like it’s own ecosystem with many small parts that contribute to the whole. Innovations in one area like world wide communication and commerce are able to bring goods from one land to another. It is give and take, demand from one area will take away from another so it is important to be able to adapt to this and change so you are able to survive. If your job goes away you need to find another trade or you have to move to where there is more work. |
| I agree that not one factor or group fully influences or determines the outcomes of the global market. However, I do believe that the richer people are able to become and the more selfish they are, the more the working people and those who are barely getting by are able to afford due to supply and demand. |
| The economy is a highly complex, interconnected system in which many different variables interact to shape and form the outcomes of the global market. Supply and demand and the influences that drive them have a high impact on the economy and markets. The economy is constantly growing and shifting in response to market changes and developments. |
| The economy is influenced by various things such as: technological innovation, consumer market, policy changes, and global trends. None of these things is the sole decision maker of the economy; rather, everything influences each other and in a complex way, similar to the human body. |
| That excerpt pretty much sums it up, the economy’s complicated beast with a lot of different things pushing and pulling it. It’s not just one thing in charge, It’s technology, the market government decisions, and what’s happening around the world all mixed together and constantly changing. Like that economist said, It’s a living thing, always adapting. |
| No single entity controls the economy. It adapts to different conditions. |
| According to the excerpt, the global modern economic system is a complex and “living” entity. There is not a singular force that drives the global economy. Rather, the economy is influenced by a myriad of factors, including technology, the market, policy, and overall global trends. Together, these factors impact the global economy as a whole. |
| The excerpt indicates how the economy is a fluid and constantly-changing entity. There are a multitude of factors that influence how the economy changes and these changes are happening every minute of every day. |
| It basically says that the economic system is like a living thing that can evolve and adapt to new conditions. It says that it evolves through a combination of “technological innovation, market dynamics, and policy decisions. I think examples of this are AI and the invention of phones. The economy basically adapted to these things and everyone uses it now. |
| The economic system is impacted by many variables and is constantly changing based on these variables. This is a complex process and no one factor can strongly influence the economy. |
| Oftentimes, there is not just one thing that influences the economy. The economy is shaped by many different things and it’s hard to pinpoint the cause and effect. |
| The excerpt above talks about how the economy changes in a variety of ways, and it is always adapting and moving almost like a living thing. So we need to adapt with it. |
| The economic system that governs the world operates on a free market system that values competition and innovation. Over time, the trends and shifts in technology will cause changes in the overall economy. No one person or entity can manipulate how it operates. |
| The way that the modern economy is shaped is with the influence of many different factors, such as advancements in technology and changes in regulation. It’s constantly adapting to new conditions. |
| The article makes a good point that multiple factors influence the economy, and you can’t always predict what will have an impact. Recent tariffs have caused volatility in the stock market, job loss, and people cutting their spending. Back in 2008, people defaulting on mortgages had a huge impact on the economy both here and internationally. It’s not always possible to foresee how certain things are going to affect the economy because there are ripple effects with everything. |
| I agree that you can’t really boil down such a complicated topic into anything easily digestible. Nor can you fully blame any one given factor. It reminds me very much of environmental issues; they are complex interactions between sociological factors, politics, economic factors and science. |
| Our economy is now a global one, interdependent on many different things. Some elements can be controlled by some, but since there are so many attributes that affect one another, no one entity can control it. It as if it is it’s own breathing thing, a complex system. |
| The excerpt explains that the economy is shaped by many different components working together. Things like technology, government rules, global events, and the market impact how the economy grows and changes. The economy shifts as everything else shifts. |
| The economy is a very complicated thing and even economists have an extremely difficult time predicting exactly how certain policies and forces will end up influencing it. The government can influence the economy by adding or removing regulations to business, or tariffs, or by making money more or less easily available. The government can even spend money, or distribute money directly, and that influences the economy. So do policies about unemployment and welfare and taxes and everything else. But even the government can’t totally control the economy. Other countries influence it. Technology does, too. Individual and group psychology also do. As do natural events like hurricanes or wildfires. There are so many things that go into the shape and fate of the economy. No one thing has complete control; many, many things contribute. And that’s one reason why it’s so hard to predict exactly how any one factor will influence the economy, when there are so many other things influencing it at the same time. |
| The economy morphs over time, adapting to factors like changes in the supply chain and technological advancements. |
| this explains that the economy is shaped by multiple interconnected forces including technology, market dynamics, and policy decision |
| The state of the global economy is affected by name different factors. These factors are constantly changing. Changes in supply and demand, political policies, current trends all interact to form the current state of the economy. No single factor is responsible for the outcome. They all affect the outcome of the global economy. |
| It is true that it economy is always changing and shifting. It can be influenced by a lot of different factors. I do not agree that it is a living system because the economy can also be easily hacked or manipulated. |
| I think this excerpt describes a summary of some of the current forces that are impacting the economic system, such as technology, regulation, policy, and more. The economy is not static, and there are many aspects that impact it. |
| The economic systems is constantly evolving. Different things such as technology, trends, polices, etc. help shape the the economy. All of these things interact with each other to create the formula that results in economic outcomes. |
| According to the excerpt, the economy’s functions through a diverse confluence of factors. These factors – technological, political, and global – collaborate to maintain the broader economic system. In this way, the economic system is analogous to a biological organism. |
| There really is no right or wrong when it comes to the economy. It’s all based on many different factors that doesn’t just include the rich or the less fortunate. |
| Our economy is based on a complex systems employing many different devices, technology and ideas to generate wealthy for some or many. Advances in various aspects of our economy benefits some usually at the expense of others and can cause a great economy or inflation. |
| The economc system works (or doesn’t) based on a variety of factors and conditions. It responds to politics, market dynamics global and local policy changes, wars, environmental disasters, disease as well as supply and demand. Currently egg prices are a strong example of the interaction of supply, demand and profit-driven sellers. |
| Many different factors are involved in shaping the economy. The economy is a complex system without a simple blueprint. Because of this, the economy is continually adapting and being molded by various conditions. |
| The excerpt makes the economic system as a very complex system that constantly changes and adapts to new conditions. There isn’t one single think that controls modern economy. Factors come from technology, market conditions, government policy and even global trends. |
| The economy is influenced by many factors as stated above and we can clearly see that manifesting in the world as we speak. The issue of tariffs has caused the living system to adapt to a great disruption. |
| The changes in the economy seem random because from a macro standpoint they are mostly determined by shifting changes in technology while from a micro standpoint it is determined by how people affected by the larger change adapt. From the bronze age , to the Internet age, when new technology reigns supreme, empires can fall. |
| The modern economy has grown through a variety of factors because of technology, politics, global trends, and market decisions. A famous economist considered the economy as a living system, that is constantly adapting. |
| The excerpt says that many forces contribute to how well or not the economy does. I agree with this, and think that there are always different factors and levels of those factors influencing things. For the most part I believe this to be true. Things are always changing as well. I think that maybe one factor can dominate over the others, but I don’t believe one could be the sole changer of the direction. I also think that if there is at any particular moment one dominating factor, then it will influence the others in that particular direction, leading to what this excerpt is saying, that many forces will be at play. For example, tariffs could be a dominating factor for the economy, but there are other factors that are then moving in that direction as well. |
| The excerpt above describes the economic system as something that’s evolved over time, and is continuing to do so as well as a system who’s outcomes and directions are not influenced by one single factor or group. Supply and demand, technological advancements and regulation changes are all things that interact with one another to shape the outcomes and directions of the economic system. |
| I feel like the excerpt describes the economic system perfectly. The options are endless as to what could happen. Things are always changing and there is so many factors to always be concerned regarding the status of the economy. |
| It shows how volatile and every changing the economy is. It talks about how no single entity can influence the economy, but technology and changes in regulations can shape how it looks in the future. |
| While the above is true there are some times when it isn’t so. Trump’s recent abuse off tariffs seem like they could singlehandedly start a global recession and AI seems likely to make capitalism obsolete before long |
| The economic system is determined by multiple factors that shape the economic outcome. It cannot be determined by a single factor. |
| As technology increases and becomes more involved, the DECREASE in the need for human employees has increased as well. Sure, you’ll need an employee or two to monitor the technology to make sure it remains efficient, but outside of this, there’s STILL fewer employees needed than ever before. And with this need for fewer employees, the technology won’t require a wage. |
| Now a days the technology growth very well. such as a speed data collecting , marketing and innovation ideas all are trending now. |
| They say that there are so many things that make it so that circumstances and changes are not directly related to other groups. |
|
It doesn’t. Its meaningless gibberish. The economy works through absolutely massive corruption. The biggest transfer of wealth in human history from the working class to the wealthy, all to “protect” us from an endemic flu and stop the weather from changing. Shutting down small businesses by government order, while Walmart and Home Depot are allowed to operate freely. Years of double digit inflation on basic goods, thanks to the Federal Reserve and Congress printing (and stealing) trillions of dollars. Blackrock, Vanguard and State Street dictating governmental and economic policy, while being immune from the laws and regulations that apply to everyone else. Retail trading shut down when hedge funds are losing money. Decades of corporate bailouts. Politicians and bureaucrats on the CCP’s payroll, weaponizing bureaucracy to benefit China (eg the “green” psychosis). Politicians and bureaucrats in every major city creating problems so they can steal all the money meant to “solve” it. The Federal Reserve manipulating/printing cash through their repo markets and deciding interest rates based on politics. Creating wars to launder money through the military industrial complex and into the pockets of bureaucrats and politicians. Etc., etc., etc. Thats how the economy works. Corruption. |
| The economy is composed of many factors which may sway it in a positive or negative way. There is not a single factor but a combination of factors that determine how it functions. |
| The modern economy is created through many different factors that influence and shape it such as regulations and technology. |
| The economy is a complex and unpredictable system due to its adaptive nature. It evolves over time through multiple interactions with market dynamics, policy decisions and global trends. Therefore, no single factor can fully determine the outcome and direction of a global market. |
| Take a farmer who grows different foods. He needs to buy seeds, farm equipment and fertilizer. These all come from different sources employing many people. The farmer himself may need to hire extra help at harvest. All these people need clothing to wear and a roof over their heads. More jobs, more people. Everything is intertwined and things keep moving forward even when the farmer decides to retire. |
| The economy works from changes with supply and demand and policing. It’s like a cause and effect. If there is change in the ecosystem, that can affect the things in that environment. |
| The excerpt emphasizes that the economy is shaped by a wide range of interconnected elements, including supply and demand shifts, technological advancements, and policy alterations. This results in a dynamic system that evolves continuously without being governed by any single control mechanism. |
| The economic system is influenced by many elements that determine it’s course. Technology, policy along with supply and demand to name a few, keep it unpredictable to an extent. |
| The economic system can be quite unpredictable. There are numerous factors that play into what direction it moves and no single factor can predict where it is going as it is continually reacting to constant changing factors. |
| The passage portrays the economy as a dynamic and interconnected system affected by numerous factors. It underscores the complexity of market interactions and notes that no central authority directs economic outcomes, instead highlighting adaptation through innovation ad policy. |
| I believe this excerpt is stating that the economy is not being dictated by a simple focus or a simple idea of making the most money or making purposeful choices that are made specifically to make sure that the group making the decisions is put in the most profitable position no matter what. They can only control so much. You can’t plan for increases in costs due to supply chain issues. Which can be anything from accidents or even natural disasters. Or even the value of produced products falling off because of either government policies or even things like the product or industry becoming obsolete. It’s ever evolving either by need or natural advancement and their are loses sustained and boons on both sides of that advancement. You can’t possibly predict any of that. |
| I agree that the economy is a very complex system with many factors, making it difficult to determine the consequences of manipulating the economy in different ways. It’s definitely hard to say what’s gonna happen with the economy and when, so the quote from the economist makes sense. |
| Our economic system is shaped by many factors like technology, changes in regulation, and new conditions. It can not be determined by just one guiding hand. |
| It makes the case that a lot of things in the economic system are interconnected and every action, no matter how large or small, plays a role in adapting with whatever happens in the market, as if being guided by Adam Smith’s model of the guiding hand. It feels like the market operates in a (optimal manner) way that makes the most sense for all parties involved, at least in a fair market. All these events happening over time lead to the current system in the present, having been molded throughout the years. |
| I agree that there is no single actor or single factor that “fully” determines the path of the global market and that it is nebulous as the author described and emergent from many parts. That being said, there are single factors or groups that have an extremely large amount of influence and can definitely push it in a certain direction, whether or not they can dictate the final outcome of that nudge. |
| Certain political factions tend to villainize “the system”, which is just a nebulous term that’s suppose to represent the government, status quo, and in this case, the economy. The economy isn’t just some oppressive system designed to uplift one group at the expense of another. It’s a complex interconnected system, and we can all benefit from it when it does well. |
| the excerpt explain that the economy is shaped by a variety of interconnected factor including technology |
| Different factors make the economy flow the way it does. The ebb is varied and possibly unpredictable |
| The excerpt above describes an economy as a living system, meaning it evolves over time and adapts as the influences around it changes. In this description of our modern economy, it is noted that no single factor or group fully determines the ebbs and flows of the economy nor it’s impact on consumers. The excerpt describes the economy almost as though it is a living, breathing organism subject to the same evolution and adaptation processes humans have undergone over centuries. While this is certainly a great way to describe the economy, what is missing is the acknowledgement that often times the supply in the “supply and demand” are controlled by a small group of individuals and the power and control this allows them to have over the “demand”. |
| Supply and demand is an aspect of the economy. The economy does’ need intervention. It’s constantly changing and adapting. |
| According to this statement, the global economy is complex and multifaceted. In that sense, markets have numerous influences and no absolute influences. |
| This article talks about how the modern economy is based on industry and rapid changes. |
| The excerpt explains that the economy cannot be controlled by any one factor. There are many things that impact the fluctuations. While government can make changes to influence the fluctuations, exact reaction cannot be accurately predicted due to the many other variables that are not easily controlled. |
| The modern economy is the product of many influences, evolving over time through a combination of technological innovation, market dynamics, policy decisions. |
| The modern economy is influenced by many factors and is constantly evolving. Shifts in supply, demand, and advancements in technology are only some of the ways economic outcomes are shaped. The economy is constantly adapting to new conditions. |
| The excerpt talks about how the economy is shaped by many different forces working together, like technology and global trends. It changes over time and doesn’t follow one set path. One group essentially doesn’t determine what direction the economy will go in. |
Measures
Class-based Zero-Sum Beliefs
Note: Measured before the manipulation
- If the upper class becomes richer, this comes at the expense of the
working class
- If the upper class makes more money, then the working class makes
less money
- If the upper class does better economically, this does NOT come at
the expense of the working class [R]
alpha = 0.9
df_cbzs_elg %>%
ggplot(aes(x = zs_class)) +
geom_density(fill = "lightblue",
color = "black") +
scale_x_continuous(breaks = seq(1,7,1),
limits = c(1,7)) +
ylab("density") +
geom_vline(xintercept = mean(df_cbzs_elg$zs_class,na.rm = T),
color = "black",
linetype = "dashed",
size = 1.1) +
theme(panel.grid.major = element_blank(),
panel.grid.minor = element_blank(),
panel.background = element_blank(),
axis.ticks = element_blank(),
axis.line = element_line(color = "grey66"),
axis.text.y = element_text(color = "black"),
axis.text.x = element_text(color = "black",
face = "bold"),
axis.title.x = element_text(color = "black",
face = "bold"))
Manipulation check
How responsible do you think upper class Americans are for economic challenges faced by working class Americans? (0 = Not at All Responsible, 100 = Completely Responsible)
df_cbzs_elg %>%
ggplot(aes(x = responsible)) +
geom_histogram(fill = "lightblue",
color = "lightblue",
binwidth = 1) +
scale_x_continuous(breaks = seq(0,100,10),
limits = c(-1,101)) +
ylab("density") +
geom_vline(xintercept = mean(df_cbzs_elg$responsible,na.rm = T),
color = "black",
linetype = "dashed",
size = 1.1) +
theme(panel.grid.major = element_blank(),
panel.grid.minor = element_blank(),
panel.background = element_blank(),
axis.ticks = element_blank(),
axis.line = element_line(color = "grey66"),
axis.text.y = element_text(color = "black"),
axis.text.x = element_text(color = "black",
face = "bold"),
axis.title.x = element_text(color = "black",
face = "bold"))
Class solidarity
- I feel a sense of solidarity with the working class
- I feel a strong bond with the working class
- Economic policy that affects the working class does not have much of
an effect on me [R]
- I see my daily struggles as closely linked to the struggle of the
working class
- I am willing to make personal sacrifices in order to support other
working class people
- I feel committed to the working class
alpha = 0.86
df_cbzs_elg %>%
ggplot(aes(x = soli)) +
geom_density(fill = "lightblue",
color = "black") +
scale_x_continuous(breaks = seq(1,7,1),
limits = c(1,7)) +
ylab("density") +
geom_vline(xintercept = mean(df_cbzs_elg$soli,na.rm = T),
color = "black",
linetype = "dashed",
size = 1.1) +
theme(panel.grid.major = element_blank(),
panel.grid.minor = element_blank(),
panel.background = element_blank(),
axis.ticks = element_blank(),
axis.line = element_line(color = "grey66"),
axis.text.y = element_text(color = "black"),
axis.text.x = element_text(color = "black",
face = "bold"),
axis.title.x = element_text(color = "black",
face = "bold"))
Support for policy
Raise taxes on the rich
Currently, households earning $647k/year or more pay federal income
tax at a rate of 37%. This proposal would increase the rate to
50%.
Raise the federal minimum wage to $18/hour
Currently, the federal minimum wage is set at $7.25/hour. This
proposal would increase the wage to $18/hour and tie it to the yearly
inflation index moving forward.
Enact a universal basic income to all US citizens
Currently, there is no guaranteed income from the government at all.
This proposal would enact a universal basic income of $1,000/month to
all American tax-paying citizens.
Require business to pay salaried employees, making up to
$70k/year, time-and-a-half for overtime hours
Currently, the federal requirements for time-and-half overtime pay
is set for any employee making up to $46k/year. This proposal would
increase the threshold for any employee making up to
$70k/year.
alpha = 0.84
df_cbzs_elg %>%
ggplot(aes(x = support)) +
geom_density(fill = "lightblue",
color = "black") +
scale_x_continuous(breaks = seq(1,7,1),
limits = c(1,7)) +
ylab("density") +
geom_vline(xintercept = mean(df_cbzs_elg$support,na.rm = T),
color = "black",
linetype = "dashed",
size = 1.1) +
theme(panel.grid.major = element_blank(),
panel.grid.minor = element_blank(),
panel.background = element_blank(),
axis.ticks = element_blank(),
axis.line = element_line(color = "grey66"),
axis.text.y = element_text(color = "black"),
axis.text.x = element_text(color = "black",
face = "bold"),
axis.title.x = element_text(color = "black",
face = "bold"))
Linked Fate
- Issues that affect me also affect working class people
- What happens to working class people in this country will have
something to do with what happens to me
- Working class people and me share a common destiny
- Progress for working class people also means progress for me
alpha = 0.88
df_cbzs_elg %>%
ggplot(aes(x = linkedfate)) +
geom_density(fill = "lightblue",
color = "black") +
scale_x_continuous(breaks = seq(1,7,1),
limits = c(1,7)) +
ylab("density") +
geom_vline(xintercept = mean(df_cbzs_elg$linkedfate,na.rm = T),
color = "black",
linetype = "dashed",
size = 1.1) +
theme(panel.grid.major = element_blank(),
panel.grid.minor = element_blank(),
panel.background = element_blank(),
axis.ticks = element_blank(),
axis.line = element_line(color = "grey66"),
axis.text.y = element_text(color = "black"),
axis.text.x = element_text(color = "black",
face = "bold"),
axis.title.x = element_text(color = "black",
face = "bold"))
Threat
- To what extent do you think the upper class poses a threat to the
working class? (1 = Not at all to 5 = Extremely)
- How personally worried are you about the amount of influence the
upper class has over the conditions of the working class? (1 = Not
at all to 5 = Extremely)
r = 0.77
df_cbzs_elg %>%
ggplot(aes(x = threat)) +
geom_density(fill = "lightblue",
color = "black") +
scale_x_continuous(breaks = seq(1,5,1),
limits = c(1,5)) +
ylab("density") +
geom_vline(xintercept = mean(df_cbzs_elg$threat,na.rm = T),
color = "black",
linetype = "dashed",
size = 1.1) +
theme(panel.grid.major = element_blank(),
panel.grid.minor = element_blank(),
panel.background = element_blank(),
axis.ticks = element_blank(),
axis.line = element_line(color = "grey66"),
axis.text.y = element_text(color = "black"),
axis.text.x = element_text(color = "black",
face = "bold"),
axis.title.x = element_text(color = "black",
face = "bold"))
Analysis
I will not account for multiple comparisons because we’re underpowered. Will just look at the differences between pairs.
Manipulation check: Responsibility
df_cbzs_elg %>%
group_by(cond) %>%
summarise(N = n(),
Mean = round(mean(responsible,na.rm = T),2),
SD = round(sd(responsible,na.rm = T),2)) %>%
ungroup() %>%
kbl() %>%
kable_styling(bootstrap_options = "hover",
full_width = F,
position = "left")| cond | N | Mean | SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| ctrl | 98 | 64.33 | 21.60 |
| culprit | 102 | 76.59 | 21.18 |
| noculprit | 100 | 65.87 | 23.82 |
m <- t.test(responsible ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg %>% filter(cond != "ctrl"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]Culprit vs. No Culprit: t(196.32) = 3.38,
p = 0.001, Lower CI = 4.46, Upper CI = 16.98,
d = 0.48.
m <- t.test(responsible ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg %>% filter(cond != "noculprit"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]Culprit vs. Control: t(197.29) = -4.05,
p = 0, Lower CI = -18.23, Upper CI = -6.29,
d = -0.58.
m <- t.test(responsible ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg %>% filter(cond != "culprit"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]No Culprit vs. Control: t(194.83) = -0.48,
p = 0.633, Lower CI = -7.91, Upper CI = 4.83,
d = -0.07.
hmm. alright. we’re not taking away the culprit with “no culprit” condition, but rather adding a culprit in the “culprit” condition. Ok. Let’s see if it has an effect on our DV’s.
Solidarity
df_cbzs_elg %>%
group_by(cond) %>%
summarise(N = n(),
Mean = round(mean(soli,na.rm = T),2),
SD = round(sd(soli,na.rm = T),2)) %>%
ungroup() %>%
kbl() %>%
kable_styling(bootstrap_options = "hover",
full_width = F,
position = "left")| cond | N | Mean | SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| ctrl | 98 | 5.16 | 1.07 |
| culprit | 102 | 5.50 | 1.12 |
| noculprit | 100 | 5.41 | 0.91 |
m <- t.test(soli ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg %>% filter(cond != "ctrl"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]Culprit vs. No Culprit: t(193.58) = 0.65,
p = 0.517, Lower CI = -0.19, Upper CI = 0.38,
d = 0.09.
m <- t.test(soli ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg %>% filter(cond != "noculprit"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]Culprit vs. Control: t(198) = -2.23,
p = 0.027, Lower CI = -0.65, Upper CI =
-0.04, d = -0.32.
m <- t.test(soli ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg %>% filter(cond != "culprit"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]No Culprit vs. Control: t(189.8) = -1.79,
p = 0.075, Lower CI = -0.53, Upper CI = 0.03,
d = -0.26.
umm, that’s not great, but also not terrible. We’re not seeing a difference between our two experimental conditions, but we are seeing a difference between each of them and the control condition. This suggests that the zero-sum language (which is present in both experimental conditions) might be driving the effect. I know it’s not the goal of this study, but did we accidentally stumble upon a class-based zero-sum beliefs manipulation?
Support for policy
df_cbzs_elg %>%
group_by(cond) %>%
summarise(N = n(),
Mean = round(mean(support,na.rm = T),2),
SD = round(sd(support,na.rm = T),2)) %>%
ungroup() %>%
kbl() %>%
kable_styling(bootstrap_options = "hover",
full_width = F,
position = "left")| cond | N | Mean | SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| ctrl | 98 | 5.30 | 1.66 |
| culprit | 102 | 5.63 | 1.52 |
| noculprit | 100 | 5.71 | 1.30 |
m <- t.test(support ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg %>% filter(cond != "ctrl"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]Culprit vs. No Culprit: t(196.29) = -0.4,
p = 0.687, Lower CI = -0.47, Upper CI = 0.31,
d = -0.06.
m <- t.test(support ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg %>% filter(cond != "noculprit"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]Culprit vs. Control: t(194.86) = -1.44,
p = 0.151, Lower CI = -0.77, Upper CI = 0.12,
d = -0.21.
m <- t.test(support ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg %>% filter(cond != "culprit"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]No Culprit vs. Control: t(183.54) = -1.91,
p = 0.058, Lower CI = -0.82, Upper CI = 0.01,
d = -0.28.
Similar pattern.
Linked fate
df_cbzs_elg %>%
group_by(cond) %>%
summarise(N = n(),
Mean = round(mean(linkedfate,na.rm = T),2),
SD = round(sd(linkedfate,na.rm = T),2)) %>%
ungroup() %>%
kbl() %>%
kable_styling(bootstrap_options = "hover",
full_width = F,
position = "left")| cond | N | Mean | SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| ctrl | 98 | 5.65 | 1.08 |
| culprit | 102 | 5.84 | 1.01 |
| noculprit | 100 | 5.82 | 0.88 |
m <- t.test(linkedfate ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg %>% filter(cond != "ctrl"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]Culprit vs. No Culprit: t(197.27) = 0.16,
p = 0.877, Lower CI = -0.24, Upper CI = 0.28,
d = 0.02.
m <- t.test(linkedfate ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg %>% filter(cond != "noculprit"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]Culprit vs. Control: t(195.91) = -1.3,
p = 0.194, Lower CI = -0.48, Upper CI = 0.1,
d = -0.19.
m <- t.test(linkedfate ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg %>% filter(cond != "culprit"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]No Culprit vs. Control: t(187.05) = -1.23,
p = 0.22, Lower CI = -0.45, Upper CI = 0.1,
d = -0.18.
Ok. This is pretty far removed (temporally) from the manipulation, so I’m not too worried about seeing this.
Threat
df_cbzs_elg %>%
group_by(cond) %>%
summarise(N = n(),
Mean = round(mean(threat,na.rm = T),2),
SD = round(sd(threat,na.rm = T),2)) %>%
ungroup() %>%
kbl() %>%
kable_styling(bootstrap_options = "hover",
full_width = F,
position = "left")| cond | N | Mean | SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| ctrl | 98 | 3.53 | 1.14 |
| culprit | 102 | 4.00 | 1.08 |
| noculprit | 100 | 3.73 | 1.16 |
m <- t.test(threat ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg %>% filter(cond != "ctrl"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]Culprit vs. No Culprit: t(198.41) = 1.74,
p = 0.083, Lower CI = -0.04, Upper CI = 0.59,
d = 0.25.
m <- t.test(threat ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg %>% filter(cond != "noculprit"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]Culprit vs. Control: t(196.38) = -3.06,
p = 0.003, Lower CI = -0.79, Upper CI =
-0.17, d = -0.44.
m <- t.test(threat ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg %>% filter(cond != "culprit"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]No Culprit vs. Control: t(196) = -1.25,
p = 0.211, Lower CI = -0.53, Upper CI = 0.12,
d = -0.18.
Oh, these effects are pretty strong. Threat could be operating in the background of this culprit idea - like you said.
Correlations
Full sample
Culprit Condition
No Culprit Condition
Control Condition
CBZS as a moderator
Manipulation check: Responsibility
Solidarity
Oh. This is very interesting. Looks like those who are low on CBZS are flipping the effect. Maybe they’re being reactive/defensive to our manipulation - potentially because they disagree with the premise that is present in both of our experimental conditions (that the upper class is gaining at the expense of the working class. Let’s exclude those who scored under 4 on CBZS and see what happens to our effects.
df_cbzs_elg %>%
filter(zs_class > 4) %>%
group_by(cond) %>%
summarise(N = n(),
Mean = round(mean(soli,na.rm = T),2),
SD = round(sd(soli,na.rm = T),2)) %>%
ungroup() %>%
kbl() %>%
kable_styling(bootstrap_options = "hover",
full_width = F,
position = "left")| cond | N | Mean | SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| ctrl | 73 | 5.42 | 0.90 |
| culprit | 77 | 5.73 | 0.91 |
| noculprit | 77 | 5.53 | 0.91 |
m <- t.test(soli ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg %>% filter(zs_class > 4) %>% filter(cond != "ctrl"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]Culprit vs. No Culprit: t(152) = 1.37,
p = 0.173, Lower CI = -0.09, Upper CI = 0.49,
d = 0.22.
m <- t.test(soli ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg %>% filter(zs_class > 4) %>% filter(cond != "noculprit"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]Culprit vs. Control: t(147.7) = -2.13,
p = 0.035, Lower CI = -0.61, Upper CI =
-0.02, d = -0.35.
m <- t.test(soli ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg %>% filter(zs_class > 4) %>% filter(cond != "culprit"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]No Culprit vs. Control: t(147.68) = -0.77,
p = 0.44, Lower CI = -0.41, Upper CI = 0.18,
d = -0.13.
Ok. That’s not bad. And it actually makes a lot of sense.
Mediations
Let’s check some mediation models.
Mediation Model 1
CBZS -> Responsibility (manipulation check) -> solidarity
*standardized betas
a = 0.59 (p = 0)
b = 0.22 (p = 0)
direct = 0.52 (p = 0)
indirect = 0.39 (p = 0)
Mediation Model 2
CBZS -> threat -> solidarity
*standardized betas
a = 0.65 (p = 0)
b = 0.36 (p = 0)
direct = 0.52 (p = 0)
indirect = 0.28 (p = 0)
Mediation Model 3
cond (1 = Culprit; 0 = Control) -> solidarity -> support
*standardized betas
a = 0.16 (p = 0.027)
b = 0.57 (p = 0)
direct = 0.1 (p = 0.151)
indirect = 0.01 (p = 0.835)
Umm, did we accidentally stumble upon a goldmine? If we’re able to
strengthen the manipulation a little bit and increase the power, we
might get that condition effect on policy support across the finish
line, and then we’re golden. The mediator completely explains away the
direct effect.
Mediation Model 4
cond (1 = No Culprit; 0 = Control) -> solidarity ->
support
*standardized betas
a = 0.13 (p = 0.075)
b = 0.49 (p = 0)
direct = 0.14 (p = 0.057)
indirect = 0.07 (p = 0.239)
I mean…. come on…. this is beautiful. I’m trying not to get too excited
here, because we are underpowered, but if this replicates, this
might just be the missing experimental piece.
Collapsed
Let’s see what happens when we collapse the two experimental conditions (culprit and no culprit) and compare those to control.
df_cbzs_elg %>%
group_by(cond_collapsed) %>%
summarise(N = n(),
Mean = round(mean(soli,na.rm = T),2),
SD = round(sd(soli,na.rm = T),2)) %>%
ungroup() %>%
kbl() %>%
kable_styling(bootstrap_options = "hover",
full_width = F,
position = "left")| cond_collapsed | N | Mean | SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| ctrl | 98 | 5.16 | 1.07 |
| zs | 202 | 5.46 | 1.02 |
m <- t.test(soli ~ cond_collapsed,data = df_cbzs_elg)
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]t(183.76) = -2.31, p = 0.022, Lower CI =
-0.56, Upper CI = -0.04, d = -0.34.
MEDIATION:
cond (1 = zero-sum; 0 = Control) -> solidarity -> support
*standardized betas
a = 0.13 (p = 0.019)
b = 0.52 (p = 0)
direct = 0.11 (p = 0.049)
indirect = 0.04 (p = 0.378)
Filtering out noculpit dissenters
Here, I’ll see how the results change when we filter out those in the noculprit condition who did not agree with the prompt (anyone under 4 on the gpt-generated 5-point scale)
Manipulation check: Responsibility
df_cbzs_elg_nondissent <- df_cbzs_elg %>%
mutate(keepin = ifelse(cond == "noculprit" & agree_gpt > 3,1,
ifelse(cond != "noculprit",1,0))) %>%
filter(keepin == 1)
df_cbzs_elg_nondissent %>%
group_by(cond) %>%
summarise(N = n(),
Mean = round(mean(responsible,na.rm = T),2),
SD = round(sd(responsible,na.rm = T),2)) %>%
ungroup() %>%
kbl() %>%
kable_styling(bootstrap_options = "hover",
full_width = F,
position = "left")| cond | N | Mean | SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| ctrl | 98 | 64.33 | 21.60 |
| culprit | 102 | 76.59 | 21.18 |
| noculprit | 74 | 59.85 | 23.74 |
m <- t.test(responsible ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg_nondissent %>% filter(cond != "ctrl"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]Culprit vs. No Culprit: t(146.35) = 4.83,
p = 0, Lower CI = 9.89, Upper CI = 23.59,
d = 0.8.
m <- t.test(responsible ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg_nondissent %>% filter(cond != "noculprit"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]Culprit vs. Control: t(197.29) = -4.05,
p = 0, Lower CI = -18.23, Upper CI = -6.29,
d = -0.58.
m <- t.test(responsible ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg_nondissent %>% filter(cond != "culprit"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]No Culprit vs. Control: t(148.95) = 1.27,
p = 0.205, Lower CI = -2.48, Upper CI =
11.43, d = 0.21.
Solidarity
df_cbzs_elg_nondissent %>%
group_by(cond) %>%
summarise(N = n(),
Mean = round(mean(soli,na.rm = T),2),
SD = round(sd(soli,na.rm = T),2)) %>%
ungroup() %>%
kbl() %>%
kable_styling(bootstrap_options = "hover",
full_width = F,
position = "left")| cond | N | Mean | SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| ctrl | 98 | 5.16 | 1.07 |
| culprit | 102 | 5.50 | 1.12 |
| noculprit | 74 | 5.39 | 0.90 |
m <- t.test(soli ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg_nondissent %>% filter(cond != "ctrl"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]Culprit vs. No Culprit: t(172.3) = 0.77,
p = 0.441, Lower CI = -0.18, Upper CI = 0.42,
d = 0.12.
m <- t.test(soli ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg_nondissent %>% filter(cond != "noculprit"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]Culprit vs. Control: t(198) = -2.23,
p = 0.027, Lower CI = -0.65, Upper CI =
-0.04, d = -0.32.
m <- t.test(soli ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg_nondissent %>% filter(cond != "culprit"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]No Culprit vs. Control: t(168.27) = -1.52,
p = 0.129, Lower CI = -0.53, Upper CI = 0.07,
d = -0.23.
Support for policy
df_cbzs_elg_nondissent %>%
group_by(cond) %>%
summarise(N = n(),
Mean = round(mean(support,na.rm = T),2),
SD = round(sd(support,na.rm = T),2)) %>%
ungroup() %>%
kbl() %>%
kable_styling(bootstrap_options = "hover",
full_width = F,
position = "left")| cond | N | Mean | SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| ctrl | 98 | 5.30 | 1.66 |
| culprit | 102 | 5.63 | 1.52 |
| noculprit | 74 | 5.49 | 1.38 |
m <- t.test(support ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg_nondissent %>% filter(cond != "ctrl"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]Culprit vs. No Culprit: t(165.09) = 0.62,
p = 0.533, Lower CI = -0.3, Upper CI = 0.57,
d = 0.1.
m <- t.test(support ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg_nondissent %>% filter(cond != "noculprit"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]Culprit vs. Control: t(194.86) = -1.44,
p = 0.151, Lower CI = -0.77, Upper CI = 0.12,
d = -0.21.
m <- t.test(support ~ cond,data = df_cbzs_elg_nondissent %>% filter(cond != "culprit"))
d_mod <- cohens_d(m)
d = d_mod[1,1]No Culprit vs. Control: t(168.2) = -0.8,
p = 0.423, Lower CI = -0.64, Upper CI = 0.27,
d = -0.12.
build function
run loop
clean and write