Fyans, L. J., Salili, F., Maehr, M. L., & Desai, K. A. (1983). A cross-cultural exploration into the meaning of achievement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 44(5), 1000-1013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.44.5.1000
Assessed the role of meaning in modifying achievement behavior across culturally diverse groups. A secondary analysis of semantic-differential data gathered from 30 cultural groups by C. E. Osgood et al (1975) was conducted. The analysis not only revealed an expected variation in achievement meaning across groups but also identified a pervasive achievement theme: Amid considerable variation in the meaning of achievement, a cluster of meanings was identified that generalized across the 30 groups. An inspection of this cluster suggested a system of beliefs that is not unlike M. Weber's (1930) description of the Protestant ethic. Although this belief system seems to be generally recognized, it may not be broadly accepted in establishing the meaning of success in the differing cultures. (43 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)