A social-mobility belief system assumes individuals can exit their group through personal effort.

Evidence

Other social and behavioral continua are associated with the interpersonal-intergroup continuum. … This dimension will also be characterized by its two extremes, which we shall refer to as “social mobility” and “social change.” … The belief system of “social mobility” is based on the general assumption that the society in which the individuals live is a flexible and permeable one, so that if they are not satisfied, for whatever reason, with the conditions imposed upon their lives by membership in social groups or social categories to which they belong, it is possible for them (be it through talent, hard work, good luck, or whatever other means) to move individually into another group that suits them better. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2680

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines ‘social mobility’ and ‘social change’ as belief systems rather than sociological descriptions.
• XREF: connects to: Beliefs about social permeability, not objective structure, shape whether people pursue mobility or change — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology: Key Readings, 2680