This study was done to examine the causal structure of attitudinal variables that relate to beliefs about money. In all 306 subjects completed various questionnaires measuring the work ethic, achievement motivation, mastery, competitiveness, conformity, and beliefs about money. Path analysis indicated the variables of work ethic, conformity, and mastery operated indirectly through the mediating effect on achievement motivation, competitiveness, and beliefs about money. Factors such as work ethic, mastery, and achievement appear to have a direct causal effect on competitiveness. Ultimately in our culture, monetary success is a result of successful competitiveness.
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