work ethic
an emphasis on the importance of work or other forms of effortful activity as a social, moral, and psychological good. Associated attitudes include individualism, competitiveness, and high personal expectations, with an emphasis on self-discipline, self-improvement, and deferred gratification. The term was introduced by German sociologist Max Weber (1864–1920), who drew a celebrated correlation between the emergence of such an ethic in 16th-century Protestant thought and the origins of European capitalism. Also called Protestant work ethic. See also achievement ethic.