First published in 1969 and augmented by the author with a new essay in 1977, "Class and Conformity" remains a model of sociological craftsmanship. Kohn's work marshals evidence from three studies to show a decided connection between social class and values. He emphasizes that occupation fosters either self-direction or conformity in people, depending upon the amount of freedom from supervision, thecomplexity of the task, and the variety of work that the job entails. The extent of parents' self-direction on the job further determines the value placed on self-direction for their children;...

In societies that experience rapid social transformation, does an individual's social position have a major influence on their personality? Exploring this, and related questions, Melvin Kohn presents a detailed overview of how social structure relates to personality in a variety of different countries in vastly different political and social contexts. Case studies include the US, communist Poland, Japan, and Poland and the Ukraine during their transition to capitalism.

In societies that experience rapid social transformation, does an individual's social position have a major influence on their personality? Exploring this, and related questions, Melvin Kohn presents a detailed overview of how social structure relates to personality in a variety of different countries in vastly different political and social contexts. Case studies include the US, communist Poland, Japan, and Poland and the Ukraine during their transition to capitalism.