
07/17/2025
Beliefs about individual agency can shape support for systemic change, and understanding that complexity is key to advancing systemic equality.
Our latest research shows that very few people buy into the idea that merit alone explains why some groups get ahead—that success is just about working harder or being more capable. Yet, when it comes to real-life systems like healthcare, most still hold individuals responsible for their own health, even while recognizing systemic barriers.
This creates a meaningful challenge:
💪 For individualistic audiences who value autonomy or authority, stories need to show how systems limit personal agency and freedom unevenly, helping them see that not everyone starts on equal footing.
🚨 For those who view the system as overwhelmingly powerful, there’s an opportunity to highlight how individuals can and do succeed despite systemic obstacles, especially where personal action combines with systemic reform.
Understanding these nuanced beliefs about agency is critical for anyone working toward systemic equality, health equity, or racial justice.
Explore more findings in Part II of our latest Deep Story Dispatch:
Part II of our ongoing survey dispatch capturing audiences’ evolving deep stories on equality