Connecting Social Exclusion and Agency: Social Class Matters

Sarah Jay, Orla Muldoon, Caroline Howarth

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This chapter discusses social exclusion as expressed through concrete class-based inequalities and experienced by the working classes on several dimensions including material consumption and resource accumulation, education, well paid work, and social engagement. There is a need to develop a social and political psychology that addresses the connections between social exclusion, social class, and agency. The chapter explores the connection between social exclusion and agency using qualitative data to show how structural inequality and culture shapes the models of agency that are available and normative in different classed contexts. While the arguments and empirical data discussed are largely based on studies in the UK and Republic of Ireland, the principles likely apply to other social and cultural settings. The chapter further considers the vital role that shared or collective identity plays in changing policies and challenging stigmatizing representations of oppressed groups.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPolitical Psychology
Subtitle of host publicationA Social Psychological Approach
Publisherwiley
Pages134-151
Number of pages18
ISBN (Electronic)9781118982365
ISBN (Print)9781118982396
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2018

Keywords

  • collective identities
  • human agency
  • political psychology
  • social capital
  • social class matters
  • social exclusion

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Connecting Social Exclusion and Agency: Social Class Matters'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this