Relative deprivation
Feeling of deprivation not from absolute poverty but from experiencing less than others, creating grievance and potentially leading to crime or deviance.
Real World
Social media platforms like Instagram expose young people in deprived areas to the lifestyles of influencers and celebrities daily; researchers have linked this constant upward comparison to rising acquisitive crime among teenagers who feel unjustly left behind.
Exam Focus
Always clarify that relative deprivation is about perceived injustice, not absolute poverty — this distinction is a common exam error.
How well did you know this?