 The discrepancy is largely the result of differing class models and definitions of what constitutes a member of the middle class.Currently the vast majority of Americans self-identify as middle class, yet some experts in the field such Michael Zweig of Stony Brook University or Dennis Gilbert of Cornell University have brought forth different theories.As most Americans are neither professionals nor managers and lack college degrees the average American may be described as being either or both, lower middle and working class.