INSTRUMENTALISM IN THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY - SOCIOECONOMIC CAUSES ANDEMOTIONAL CONSEQUENCES

This paper analyzes the relationship between the sense of control over one's own life and the belief that most Americans control their lives and create their own good or bad outcomes. We analyze the effects of four aspects of stratification: an ascribed status (race), achieved st atuses of differing stability (education and household income), and re cent economic hardship (trouble paying bills or buying necessities). U sing data from a 1990 survey of 2,031 Americans, we find that the larg e majority hold instrumental views of themselves and of other American s. Socioeconomic status strengthens both views, although education and income increase the belief that one controls one's own life more than the belief that other Americans control theirs. Each belief also appe ars to generalize to the other, Finally, the Americans who feel that t hey have little control over their own lives apparently rake heart fro m the belief that most Americans can achieve what they set their minds to, that most people's problems results from their bad decisions and lack of effort, and that the success or failure of others was more tha n luck. Either a firm sense of personal control or (when that is weak) a firm belief in American instrumentalism minimizes depression. We se e no sign that blaming outcomes on chance, circumstance, or others mak es Americans feel better.