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.
Public Significance Statement
This research found that people who hold ideological beliefs around authority and tradition, as well as those who view hard work as a moral virtue, are more likely to attribute the causes of homelessness to individual characteristics. Additionally, people who blamed structural issues for homelessness were much more likely to support governmental policies aimed at increasing access to resources for people experiencing homelessness.