Entitlement’s Cruel Cousins

Abstract

Chapter 2, Entitlement’s Cruel Cousins, surveys the psychological correlates of entitlement. What attitudes coincide with entitlement that perpetuate inequality? For example, entitlement is associated with overconfidence and immodesty. Entitlement is also associated with individualism and the belief in the myth of meritocracy. From poverty to sexual assault, those who value individualism and meritocracy tend to see bad things happening to people as their own fault. Entitlement is linked to narcissism as well. Finally, entitlement is also correlated with dangerous worldviews such as authoritarianism and social dominance orientation—both of which are necessary to examine given trends toward increased authoritarian political tactics in the United States and globally.