BASIC HUMAN VALUES: AN OVERVIEW Theory, Methods, and Applications

Culture Contact Culture Shock - The buzzing confusion that results from sudden exposure to an unfamiliar setting Affective (emotional) reactions: Confusion Anxiety Suspicion Disorientation Desire to be somewhere else (familiar place)

We prefer the “similar” Similarity-Attraction Hypothesis (Byrne, 1969) We prefer being with people whom we share important characteristics: Values Age Religion Language …

Primary Socialization The means by which we learn our culture / values Becomes our “reality” Resistant to change Problem when it becomes “the truth” or “correct”

Values

Introduction to the Values Theory Are criteria people use to evaluate actions, people, and events. Each of us holds numerous values with varying degrees of importance.

The Ten basic values Ten motivationally basic values are derived from three universal requirements of the human conditions. Needs, social interaction, and survival. Intended to include all the core values recognized in cultures around the world. Self direction Stimulation Hedonism Achievement Power Security Conformity Tradition Benevolence Universalism

The Structure of Value Relations

The Structure of Value Relations Self-Direction. Independent thought and action; choosing, creating, exploring. Stimulation. Excitement, novelty, and challenge in life. Hedonism. Pleasure and sensuous gratification for oneself.

The Structure of Value Relations Social Esteem Achievement. Personal success through demonstrating competence according to social standards. Power. Social status and prestige, control or dominance over people and resources.

The Structure of Value Relations Conformity. Restraint of actions, inclinations, and impulses likely to upset or harm others and violate social expectations or norms. Tradition. Respect, commitment, and acceptance of the customs and ideas that traditional culture or religion provide the self. Security. Safety, harmony, and stability of society, of relationships, and of self.

The Structure of Value Relations Universalism. Understanding, appreciation, tolerance, and protection for the welfare of all people and for nature. Benevolence. Preserving and enhancing the welfare of those with whom one is in frequent personal contact (the ‘in-group’)

Sources of Value Priorities People’s background: Age, Gender, Education Life circumstances Value Priorities

Pattern of Value Relations with Other Variables Variables: gender, age, education, socialization, and learning experiences Value theory: a coherent structure enables us to treat peoples’ value systems (the Ten Values) values that are close in the structure, should have similar association with others when association of values with other variables most positively, the opposite of the circle values would view the most negatively associated values

Age Influences Values Age influences values: Cohorts (partners) Physical Aging Life Stage Cohorts: effects on people's lives that arise from the characteristics of the historical periods during which they experienced in their stages of life such as childhood or middle age. (e.g., war, depression) i.e. elders give higher priority to materialist values than younger due to economic and physical insecurity experience in adolescence. While youngers give greater priority to self-direction, stimulation and less priority to security and tradition values

Age Influences Values Physical Aging: strength, energy, cognitive speed, memory and sharpness of sense decline with age when age arises….. Security values more important While, stimulation values less important because risks are more threatening; and hedonism and achievement are less important Life Stage: opportunities, demands, and constraints in life stages cause age differences in values In early adulthood, work and family establishing is primary concern In middle adulthood, stable work and family and maintain social networks

Gender Influences Values Psychoanalytic Theorists Women are more related and affiliated. Men are more autonomous and individuated. Cultural Feminist theories Women show more concern for an ethic of care and responsibility. Men focus more on an ethic of rights based on justice and fairness. Social Role Theorists Women assume more expressive, person-oriented roles Men engage in and learn more instrumental, task-oriented roles

Education Influences Values Educational Experiences Increase the openness to non-routine ideas and activity central to stimulation values and self-direction values. Education correlates positively with achievement values The constant grading Comparing of performance in schools The higher priority to universalism values, the higher education we seek

Sources of Value Priorities People’s background: Age, Gender, Education Life circumstances Value Priorities

The Schwartz Value Survey (SVS)