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The protestant work ethic: A review of the psychological literature
Abstract
Despite criticism of Weber's thesis concerning the Protestant Work Ethic (PWE) and the rise of Capitalism, few have challenged the specification of the behaviour patterns, goals and values of those adhering to this ethic. Whereas psychologists have not been very interested in the nature of the historical, political and sociological arguments concerning the PWE, they have devoted a great deal of research to its measurement and correlates. In this paper the concept of the PWE; the literature on the instruments devised to measure the PWE; studies on the relationship between the PWE and work and unemployment; as well as research on the PWE and individual differences is reviewed. Despite great heterogeneity in aims, methodology and instruments used in different studies, a coherent picture of PWE beliefs emerges. Finally an elaboration of a new perspective on PWE research is suggested.
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Citations
Cited by
Materialism: Trait Aspects of Living in the Material World
Belk, R. W. (1985) · Journal of Consumer Research · doi:10.1086/208515 · Cited by 1,966
Value Priorities and Religiosity in Four Western Religions
Schwartz, S. H., & Huismans, S. (1995) · Social Psychology Quarterly · doi:10.2307/2787148 · Cited by 760
The Psychology of Moral Conviction
Skitka, L. J. (2010) · Social and Personality Psychology Compass · doi:10.1111/j.1751-9004.2010.00254.x · Cited by 503
A multifactorial approach to achievement motivation: The development of a comprehensive measure
Cassidy, T., & Lynn, R. (1989) · Journal of Occupational Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.2044-8325.1989.tb00001.x · Cited by 280
Is higher inequality less legitimate? Depends on How You Frame it!
Bruckmüller, S., Reese, G., & Martiny, S. E. (2017) · British Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjso.12202 · Cited by 38
Metadata
- Authors
- Furnham, A.
- Venue
- European Journal of Social Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1984-01
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 87-104
- ISSN
- 0046-2772 (ISSN-L)
- 1099-0992
- OpenAlex
- W2006694923
- Cited by
- 230
- References
- 0
- FWCI
- 33.19
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
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