Wzory prestiżu zawodów
Patterns of Occupational Prestige

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of this analysis is to look at occupational prestige phenomenon from a new perspective which takes into account its multidimensional nature. Using factor analysis of occupational prestige ratings from the 2006 Polish module of the European Social Survey, the 1987 Polish IFiS-PAN survey and the 1989 United States Social Survey data, the Author presents dimensions in which respondents evaluate occupational prestige of several positions. At least three enduring dimension of evaluating prestige have occurred across time and space (in two countries). Those dimensions are: manual labour, key functions in organisations and importance (utility) for society. Moreover, in the Polish data from 2006 the Author finds an additional dimension, namely the public function dimension. Four dimensions found in the Polish data from 2006 are examined using variables which characterise respondents’ socioeconomic status and attitude to life – especially associated with work. Beside the public functions dimension, there is no significant difference in evaluating prestige on a particular dimension between respondents with various socioeconomic status and attitude to life. The presented approach to occupational prestige can also explain some changes in prestige ratings. The Author draws a comparison between Poland in 1987 and 2006 and shows significant shifts in perception of some occupations.

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