Chosen inferiority is not contentment but assumed rebellion and despair

Evidence

Several consequences follow from taking system-justification seriously as a social-psychological phenomenon. First, to the extent that members of disadvantaged as well as advantaged groups possess at least some needs for system justification, they should internalize a sense of inferiority and experience considerable ambivalence concerning their own group membership. Second, specific stereotype contents should emerge to rationalize particular divisions of labor and unequal distributions of social roles. Third, complementary stereotypes – stereotypes of both disadvantaged and advantaged groups that have both favorable and unfavorable content – should be fairly common, insofar as these lend legitimacy to the system as a whole. Fourth, essentialist forms of stereotyping should be especially effective at satisfying system-justification needs, insofar as they render intergroup differences not only substantial and real but also natural and necessary. — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1399 (#qualifies, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Willed and spontaneous feelings are identical because feelings are self-choices; The inferiority complex is freely chosen rather than unconsciously suffered.; Antillean inferiority is governed by a social fiction rather than a personal one (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• The inferiority complex is freely chosen rather than unconsciously suffered. #expands (0.92)
• Antillean inferiority is governed by a social fiction rather than a personal one #qualifies (0.80)
• System justification drives even disadvantaged groups to internalize inferiority #qualifies (0.78) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1399
• Freedom can break the circle of imposed inferiority #contradicts (0.75) — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 1979
• Perceived instability plus illegitimacy spurs subordinate groups to reject inferiority #complicates (0.75)