The protestant work ethic and economic beliefs

Abstract

This study investigated the structure and correlates of economic beliefs among a sample of 256 adult Australians. Two interpretable components containing traditional left-wing and right-wing items were identified. This supports previous British findings (Fumham, 1985b). As predicted, Protestant work ethic (PWE) beliefs correlated significantly with each scale in the expected direction. Demographic correlates of the economic and PWE beliefs are noted, and the results discussed with reference to Eysenck's (1954) theory of attitude structure and previous research into economic and social attitudes.