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...
Main Authors: | , , |
---|---|
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 |