Individual‐based relative deprivation as a response to interpersonal help: The roles of status discrepancy and type of help

Individual‐based relative deprivation (IRD) refers to anger and resentment associated with upward interpersonal comparison. Four studies investigated whether and when IRD can be a result of receiving help. In all the studies, we found an interaction between type of help (i.e., autonomy‐oriented vs. dependency‐oriented help) and status discrepancy such that participants experienced a higher level of IRD after receiving dependency‐oriented help from a higher status helper than in other conditions. This interaction emerged uniquely on IRD, but not on general affect, self‐esteem, or evaluations of helper. Moreover, Study 3 indicated that the perception of a diminished likelihood of changing mediated the impact of dependency‐oriented, high‐status help on IRD. Study 4 showed that IRD stemming from such help was positively associated with prioritizing self‐interest over others’. Implications for research on help and IRD are discussed.