Abstract

This research investigates the relationship between perceived economic inequality and collective nostalgia in China, proposing that inequality perceptions foster longing for an idealized past, with conspiracy beliefs mediating this process. A pilot study (N = 319) revealed a significant association between perceived economic inequality and collective nostalgia. Study 1 (N = 320) confirmed the mediating role of conspiracy beliefs, while Study 2 (N = 300) replicated these findings. Study 3 (N = 360) experimentally manipulated perceived economic inequality, showing that higher inequality perceptions increased collective nostalgia, with conspiracy beliefs mediating this effect. Together, these findings provide a novel theoretical perspective on how perceived economic inequality shapes collective emotional responses, offering broader implications for understanding public reactions to inequality in contemporary societies.