Meritocratic beliefs in the United States, Finland, and China: A multidimensional approach using latent class analysis.

ABSTRACT: This study employs latent class analysis (LCA) as a novel methodology to investigate the multidimensional nature of meritocratic beliefs, addressing the limitations of traditional unidimensional approaches. Using data from the International Social Survey Program 2009 for the United States, Finland, and China, this study demonstrates several advantages of this multidimensional approach. First, LCA effectively identifies dual consciousness, where individuals simultaneously endorse meritocratic and structuralist explanations of social stratification. The analysis reveals three distinct narratives explaining social stratification: purely meritocratic beliefs, predominantly meritocratic beliefs, and dual consciousness. While all three subtypes consider merits highly important, they differ in th

SUBMITTER: Zhu L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11717172 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature