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ABSTRACT
We tested Skinner's (1971) assertion that society accords dignity or worth only to those who voluntarily perform prosocial acts. The present alternative hypothesis is that society accords intrinsic dignity, for example, to newborn infants who could not have earned dignity through personal performance. American college students and direct-care providers at a state mental hospital indicated the criteria they would use to accord dignity to others by rating their agreement with direct statements. Results supported our hypothesis.