A Latent Class Analysis on Meritocratic Beliefs in the United States (Poster 48)

• In Event: Thursday Poster Session 9:00 am
  In Poster Session: A Cross-Country Latent Profile Analysis of Perceived Meritocracy on the U.S., Finland, and China Samples

Abstract

This research explores whether Americans perceive the society as meritocratic, drawing on data from the 2021 General Social Survey and using latent class analysis to delineate distinct viewpoints. Four primary perspectives on meritocracy emerged from the analysis. The predominant view, held by 43.63% of respondents, characterizes the U.S. as a complete meritocracy, where individual efforts are seen as the sole determinants of success. The other identified perspectives acknowledge the influence of social class, yet still emphasize the importance of personal merit in achieving success. Divergence among these groups is noted in their attitudes towards racial barriers: one group (16.63%) rejects the idea that race affects life chances, another (31.05%) slightly acknowledges racial barriers, and a third (8.69%) more openly recognizes such obstacles. Additionally, the study investigates the role of ethnicity and educational background in shaping meritocratic beliefs, revealing that, compared to Whites, African Americans and Asians are more cognizant of the effects of social class and racial inequalities on success. This research contributes to understanding the nuances of meritocratic beliefs and underscores the importance of fostering critical awareness of social and racial inequalities.

Authors

• Li Zhu, University of California - Berkeley

• Jin Hyung Lim, University of California - Berkeley