Protestant Work Ethic

The notion of the Protestant work ethic (PWE) has its roots in Max Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, in which he espoused the idea that the success of capitalism and economic growth throughout western Europe and North America was partly the consequence of Puritan values such as a calling to one’s work and frugality with one’s resources. Today, psychologists use the term Protestant work ethic to refer to the extent to which individuals place work at the center of their existence, abhor idleness, and value accomplishment, regardless of specific religious affiliation, if any. In fact, most research suggests few differences between religious groups on PWE endorsement, and some studies suggest that people who are non-Protestants score higher on PWE measures than ...