We predict that genetic explanations for social class—explanations
suggesting that social class is determined by stable and internal genetic
factors (Kraus & Keltner, 2013)—are likely to reduce overestimates of
class mobility for two reasons: first, genetic explanations highlight the
possibility that some individuals possess advantaged (inferior) genes
that enhance (reduce) the capacity to ascend the economic hierarchy.
Thus, genetic explanations provide a concrete reason for why class mobility
may not be possible for all Americans. Though research has not
tested relationships between genetic explanations and class mobility
specifically, genetic explanations of social groups have constrained
other beliefs related to social change: For example, increased racebased
essentialist beliefs (i.e., beliefs that racial categories are biologically
determined) were associated with decreased motivation to change
racial inequality in society (Williams & Eberhardt, 2008).