entitlement

Entitlement is a term used in several overlapping contexts to describe a guaranteed access to a benefit, right, or resource. In everyday usage it can refer to a sense that one is owed something, while in more formal contexts it denotes a legal or institutional right or a social guarantee of a benefit.

In psychology, psychological entitlement refers to a dispositional belief that one deserves more than others and should receive preferential treatment or resources. This belief is considered stable across situations and can influence attitudes and behaviors, sometimes correlating with reduced cooperation, increased assertiveness, or resistance to fair exchanges. Researchers measure it with scales that assess the extent to which individuals feel they deserve special consideration.

In public policy, entitlement programs are those that provide benefits to all individuals who meet defined eligibility criteria, regardless of income or assets. Examples include old-age, survivor, and disability programs, as well as certain health or unemployment benefits. These programs are typically funded by designated taxes or contributions and are contrasted with means-tested programs, which target benefits to people below a income or asset threshold, and with discretionary programs, whose funding and benefits are not guaranteed by statute. In law, an entitlement can denote a legally guaranteed right to receive benefits or to obtain a remedy under a statute, regulation, or constitutional provision.

Culturally and politically, debates about entitlement concern sustainability, fairness, and incentives created by guaranteed benefits. Proponents emphasize social protection and predictability, while critics raise concerns about dependency, cost, and the potential for excess claims. The term thus intersects psychology, law, and public administration, reflecting both individual beliefs and institutional guarantees.