Not another consensus analysis: race, social position, and cultural consensus

Research suggests that processes of meaning-making are affected by ones position within social structures. Nonetheless, researchers analyzing cultural meanings within the United States have routinely surveyed white, middle-class people for convenience, and under the assumptions that they are valid reporters of U.S. cultural norms. This research investigates whether race, class, social positions, or the interaction of race and class affect reporting of fundamental sentiments toward cultural concepts. Using survey data collected from one quasi-representative sample and one convenience sample of U.S. adults, I conducted consensus analyses and regression analyses to investigate whether there is agreement on cultural meanings within the United States across race and certain indicators of social status. Results suggest a general consensus on cultural meaning but give some indication that race and class affect cultural meanings.