Religious orientation and the Protestant Work Ethic

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between the Intrinsic Religious Orientation (IRO) and the Protestant Work Ethic (PWE). The Mirels and Garrett PWE Scale and the Feagin IRO/ERO scale were administered to 241 men and 140 women, aged 19 and older. The PWE and the IRO are significantly correlated, and their correlation remains significant even after partialling out their common correlation with the tendency to describe oneself as a political conservative. These findings support Weber's argument for the religious foundations of capitalism. Suggestions are made for research into conservatism along the lines followed in this study.

Keywords:

• religious orientation
• protestant work ethic
• intrinsic religious orientation