Ethnic differences in endorsement of the Protestant work ethic: the role of ethnic identity and perceptions of social class.
The authors examined ethnic differences in endorsement of the Protestant work ethic (PWE; M. Weber, 1905) among Black (n = 96) and White (n = 149) college students and tested whether differences in ethnic identity and perceptions of social class mediated the relationship between ethnicity and the endorsement of PWE values. Blacks were higher in levels of ethnic identity, more likely to see themselves as working or middle class, and less likely to endorse the PWE. Only perceptions of social class partially mediated the relationship between ethnicity and PWE values. The authors concluded that perception of social class is an important construct that might influence the cultural psychology of different ethnic groups. The authors recommended further research involving PWE and other cultural variables.
Cokley
Kevin
K
Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology University of Missouri-Columbia 65211, USA. cokleyk@missouri.edu
Komarraju
Meera
M
Pickett
Rachel
R
Shen
Frances
F
Patel
Nima
N
Belur
Vinetha
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People / Q000208:ethnology; D032781:Codes of Ethics; D004651:Employment / Q000941:ethics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033303:Protestantism; D012923:Social Class; D012928:Social Desirability; D012933:Social Identification; D012938:Social Perception; D012945:Social Values / Q000208:ethnology*; D044465:White People / Q000208:ethnology