Abstract
Previous studies of the relationship between social structural changes and individual-level perceptions have focused on perceptions of ‘well-being’. Those studies conclude that relative position in the social structure (e.g., more or less income compared to others) determines perceived ‘well-being’. In contrast to those studies, this research focuses on social structural changes and perceptions of middle class identification and concludes that absolute position in the social structure (e.g., a certain amount of income in itself) determines perceptions of middle class identification.
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I wish to thank Reeve Vanneman for valuable guidance throughout all phases of this research. I am also grateful to Kirk Williams for his many helpful comments. Data were provided by the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research.
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Cannon, L.W. On the absolute or relative basis of perception: The case for middle class identification. Soc Indic Res 8, 347–363 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00292645
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00292645