The Protestant ethic and self-characterization

Abstract The present study investigated the relationship between endorsement of the Protestant Ethic and self-characterizations reflected in personality test scores and self-ratings. As anticipated, the stronger the endorsement of Protestant Ethic ideology, the greater the tendency to describe oneself as having dispositions that are highly valued by that ideology. Endorsement was positively related to scores on Jackson's Personality Research Form (PRF) [ Personality Research Form Manual (2nd edn), 1974] for Achievement, Endurance, and Order, and negatively related to scores for Impulsivity and Autonomy. Strength of Protestant Ethic endorsement was also positively related to the tendency to rate oneself as high in willpower and self-discipline, and as low in anxiety in comparison with ‘other college students’. A negative correlation between endorsement and scores on the Infrequency scale of the PRF suggests that persons who avow the Protestant Ethic may indeed be predisposed to act in accordance with its prescriptions.