A New Empirical Approach to Intercultural Comparisons of Value Preferences Based on Schwartz’s Theory

Empirical tests of Schwartz’s theory of culture-level value priorities have predominantly been performed using an averaging approach–as values of the average individual in a culture. However, from a theory of measurement standpoint such an approach seems inadequate. We argue that the averaging appro...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Erich H. Witte, Adrian Stanciu, Klaus Boehnke
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2020-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01723/full
_version_ 1818576000165871616
author Erich H. Witte
Adrian Stanciu
Adrian Stanciu
Klaus Boehnke
Klaus Boehnke
author_facet Erich H. Witte
Adrian Stanciu
Adrian Stanciu
Klaus Boehnke
Klaus Boehnke
author_sort Erich H. Witte
collection DOAJ
description Empirical tests of Schwartz’s theory of culture-level value priorities have predominantly been performed using an averaging approach–as values of the average individual in a culture. However, from a theory of measurement standpoint such an approach seems inadequate. We argue that the averaging approach is an insufficiently accurate methodology in capturing the compatibilities-incompatibilities between values of individuals within cultures. We propose an approach based on the distribution of values of individuals in a given culture–the distribution approach. Using data from two rounds of the European Social Survey, we show how frequencies of specific individual value priorities in a culture can be used toward the description of culture-level value preferences. We recommend a re-conceptualization of Schwartz’s culture-level value theory to an orthogonal two-dimensional structure, namely as Alteration vs. Preservation and Amenability vs. Dominance, which we explain based on heterogeneity in socioecological indicators across countries. We conclude that societal challenges may influence the cultural value climate across countries.
first_indexed 2024-12-15T00:48:26Z
format Article
id doaj.art-0249e5bcf9444d06b3dcb7ab807f0279
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1664-1078
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-15T00:48:26Z
publishDate 2020-07-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Psychology
spelling doaj.art-0249e5bcf9444d06b3dcb7ab807f02792022-12-21T22:41:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782020-07-011110.3389/fpsyg.2020.01723463967A New Empirical Approach to Intercultural Comparisons of Value Preferences Based on Schwartz’s TheoryErich H. Witte0Adrian Stanciu1Adrian Stanciu2Klaus Boehnke3Klaus Boehnke4Institute of Psychology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, GermanyPsychology and Methods, Jacobs University Bremen, Bremen, GermanyInstitute for Gerontology, University of Vechta, Vechta, GermanyPsychology and Methods, Jacobs University Bremen, Bremen, GermanyCenter for Sociocultural Research, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, RussiaEmpirical tests of Schwartz’s theory of culture-level value priorities have predominantly been performed using an averaging approach–as values of the average individual in a culture. However, from a theory of measurement standpoint such an approach seems inadequate. We argue that the averaging approach is an insufficiently accurate methodology in capturing the compatibilities-incompatibilities between values of individuals within cultures. We propose an approach based on the distribution of values of individuals in a given culture–the distribution approach. Using data from two rounds of the European Social Survey, we show how frequencies of specific individual value priorities in a culture can be used toward the description of culture-level value preferences. We recommend a re-conceptualization of Schwartz’s culture-level value theory to an orthogonal two-dimensional structure, namely as Alteration vs. Preservation and Amenability vs. Dominance, which we explain based on heterogeneity in socioecological indicators across countries. We conclude that societal challenges may influence the cultural value climate across countries.https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01723/fullvaluesSchwartzaveraging approachdistribution approachsocietal challengescross-cultural
spellingShingle Erich H. Witte
Adrian Stanciu
Adrian Stanciu
Klaus Boehnke
Klaus Boehnke
A New Empirical Approach to Intercultural Comparisons of Value Preferences Based on Schwartz’s Theory
Frontiers in Psychology
values
Schwartz
averaging approach
distribution approach
societal challenges
cross-cultural
title A New Empirical Approach to Intercultural Comparisons of Value Preferences Based on Schwartz’s Theory
title_full A New Empirical Approach to Intercultural Comparisons of Value Preferences Based on Schwartz’s Theory
title_fullStr A New Empirical Approach to Intercultural Comparisons of Value Preferences Based on Schwartz’s Theory
title_full_unstemmed A New Empirical Approach to Intercultural Comparisons of Value Preferences Based on Schwartz’s Theory
title_short A New Empirical Approach to Intercultural Comparisons of Value Preferences Based on Schwartz’s Theory
title_sort new empirical approach to intercultural comparisons of value preferences based on schwartz s theory
topic values
Schwartz
averaging approach
distribution approach
societal challenges
cross-cultural
url https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01723/full
work_keys_str_mv AT erichhwitte anewempiricalapproachtointerculturalcomparisonsofvaluepreferencesbasedonschwartzstheory
AT adrianstanciu anewempiricalapproachtointerculturalcomparisonsofvaluepreferencesbasedonschwartzstheory
AT adrianstanciu anewempiricalapproachtointerculturalcomparisonsofvaluepreferencesbasedonschwartzstheory
AT klausboehnke anewempiricalapproachtointerculturalcomparisonsofvaluepreferencesbasedonschwartzstheory
AT klausboehnke anewempiricalapproachtointerculturalcomparisonsofvaluepreferencesbasedonschwartzstheory
AT erichhwitte newempiricalapproachtointerculturalcomparisonsofvaluepreferencesbasedonschwartzstheory
AT adrianstanciu newempiricalapproachtointerculturalcomparisonsofvaluepreferencesbasedonschwartzstheory
AT adrianstanciu newempiricalapproachtointerculturalcomparisonsofvaluepreferencesbasedonschwartzstheory
AT klausboehnke newempiricalapproachtointerculturalcomparisonsofvaluepreferencesbasedonschwartzstheory
AT klausboehnke newempiricalapproachtointerculturalcomparisonsofvaluepreferencesbasedonschwartzstheory