Question

Tina, a single mom, just making ends meet, feels most dissatisfied with her current material circumstances after watching an episode of The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Her feelings are best understood in terms of

a) Relative deprivation.
b) Ego depletion.
c) Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
d) Self-actualization.

Answer 1

Tina's feelings of dissatisfaction after watching 'The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous' are best described as relative deprivation, which is a perception of inequality that may lead to a sense of poverty grounded in societal comparisons.

Step-by-step explanation:

Tina, a single mom, feels dissatisfied with her material circumstances after watching an episode of 'The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous'. Her feelings are best understood in terms of relative deprivation, which occurs when an individual compares themselves to others and feels that they are worse off. This concept is apparent when Tina feels disheartened despite possibly having her basic needs met, yet she senses a disparity when comparing her lifestyle to the opulence displayed on TV. This perception of inequality is indicative that her definition of what constitutes a necessity is relative to the context of her societal environment. Maslow's hierarchy of needs is another concept that addresses human motivation, suggesting that lower-level needs must be met before higher-level needs such as self-actualization can be considered; however, it is relative deprivation that directly explains Tina's dissatisfaction.

Relative deprivation is connected to the idea of subjective poverty, where Tina might afford essentials but still feels that her income should allow her to live better than she does. So, instead of a discussion on physiological or safety needs situated at the lower levels of Maslow's pyramid, we are engaging in an understanding of the social and emotional impact of perceived economic disparities.

Answer 2

Tina is experiencing 'relative deprivation,' which occurs when a person feels they are entitled to a better standard of living, especially when compared to the socio-economic status of others, leading to dissatisfaction with their current material situation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Relative deprivation:

Tina's feeling of dissatisfaction after watching a program depicting wealthier lives can best be understood as relative deprivation. This term describes the experience of feeling deprived of something to which one believes they are entitled, especially in comparison to others. It contrasts with objective measures of deprivation and focuses on one's subjective feelings of not having enough, even if basic needs are met.

While Maslow's hierarchy of needs suggests that individuals must satisfy lower-level needs before addressing higher-level desires, relative deprivation does not necessarily align with lacking those foundational needs. Moreover, it stems from a comparison with others' circumstances rather than an internal deficit of fulfillment at a certain level of Maslow's pyramid. Tina's experience reflects her perception of not meeting the societal standards of material success, which can lead to dissatisfaction regardless of absolute material circumstances.