Dissecting how ideological orientations predict attributions and policy attitudes toward unhoused individuals

Abstract

Across two cross-sectional samples (N-total = 612), we examined how people's ideological orientations related to their attributions about the causes of homelessness, and how these attributions relate to policy preferences. In both studies, we assessed eight ideological orientations, four domains of attributions about homelessness, and three domains of policy attitudes. In Study 1, we measured attributions using self-report scales, whereas in Study 2 we measured qualitative answers that were coded using a large language model (ChatGPT 4o). Across both studies, stronger right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) and protestant work ethic (PWE) related to endorsing more individualistic attributions for homelessness, while stronger conservatism related to less endorsement of structural attributions. Lower endorsement of structural attributions related to less support for economic policies to address homelessness in society. Theoretical and practical applications of these findings are discussed, along with limitations and future directions.