Oral Presentation by Konrad Bernshausen¹, Thomas Höge¹, Christine Unterrainer¹, Severin Hornung¹
¹ Universität Innsbruck, Austria
TIME: Tuesday, 14 July, 14:30 – 16:00
Location: Room 1
Session: 5
Abstract
The growing influence of neoliberalism has restructured not only economic and political institutions but also the forms of subjectivity through which individuals understand and govern themselves. In recent years, increasing psychological research has addressed the internalization of neoliberalism by developing several quantitative assessment tools. Drawing on a systematic review of 23 included studies, this paper compares different self-report questionnaires to quantify the neoliberal subject and the respective empirical evidence: the Neoliberal Beliefs Inventory (NBI), the Neoliberal Orientation Questionnaire (NOQ), and the Neoliberal Ideological Beliefs Questionnaire (NLBQ). Comparing the questionnaires demonstrates that each instrument operationalizes a distinct theory of neoliberal ideology. In the NBI, neoliberal ideology is conceptualized as a diffuse cultural discourse, emphasizing the concept of homo oeconomicus and post-prejudice narratives. In the NOQ, neoliberal ideology is characterized as a system-justifying mechanism and the application of cost-benefit analyses to everyday life. In the NLBQ, a perspective from critical theory is discernable, conceptualizing neoliberal ideology as a system of meanings in service of power, focusing specifically on its manifestations in the workplace. Findings across these instruments suggest that neoliberal subjectivity is shaped, at the social level, by meritocratic beliefs, justifying an unequal and hierarchical society. Beliefs in economic liberties, such as endorsement of free markets and opposition to redistributive policies, are complemented by socially conservative values, like traditional gender norms and ethnocentrism. At the intersubjective level, internalized neoliberalism is related to less empathic consideration of others but also a tendency to trust those close to oneself. The neoliberal intrasubjectivity is characterized by a prioritization of the self. Highly neoliberal individuals perceive themselves to be in control, reporting higher levels of self-efficacy and self-esteem. Alongside a constant drive for self-optimization, neoliberal subjects report greater life satisfaction and better health, which may facilitate neoliberal internalization. However, alternative methodological explanations and undetected dysfunctional consequences need to be considered. After summarizing correlates of neoliberal subjectivity, the paper concludes with recommendations regarding the questionnaires’ respective use cases and future research possibilities.