Where You Live Matters to Have the American Dream: The Impact of Collective Social Capital on Perceived Economic Mobility and the Moderating Role of Income

The current research develops and tests the theory that beliefs in economic mobility are affected by social capital at community level, especially for low-income individuals. Integrating concepts from perceived (PEM), this hypothesizes members of disadvantaged groups (vs. advantaged groups) more likely to adjust their PEM depending on level. Using archival data, multilevel analysis is employed examine whether individual- or community-level increases extent which income moderates relationship. Consistent with our hypotheses, level significantly associated relationship stronger high-income) earners. Study 1 shows individuals communities high levels relations participation have higher than those lower levels. 2 replicates finding a similar dependent variable: negative prospects. Further, PEM-enhancing prospects-decreasing effects consistently This study extends investigation suggesting as possible antecedent PEM.