This may not translate well into the U.S., since India has a history of a strong caste system that enforced poverty. "Things could be different" was not true for the Harijans.
That was part of the study. Researchers observed more irrational actions compared to say rural china or vietnam. Having that feeling that things wont change will cause you to give up and do what is deemed irrational.
This may not translate well into the U.S., since India has a history of a strong caste system that enforced poverty. "Things could be different" was not true for the Harijans.