A study of the viability of the attitude labeled as “fatalism” in miners, who work in a life stressful situation, was undertaken. Subjects were 33 Caucasian male miners and 33 Caucasian male industrial workers from northern West Virginia. Each subject was administered the Valecha Internal-External Scale, the Berger Self-acceptance Scale, the Campbell Personal Competence Scale, and a questionnaire designed to tap fatalistic attitudes. The questionnaire data indicate no difference between the two groups. Results suggest that miners are not fatalistic as that term is commonly used, but interpretation of the miner's work safety attitudes should be made in terms of reinforcement principles.
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