A self analysis

Cultural Values:

A Self-Analysis

Brian Long

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Schwartz proposed ten separate value types that can be used to measure individual value preferences (Smith, Bond, & Kagitcibasi, 2006).  The ten value types, created from a list of 56 original values, can help to measure values at an individual level and then be used to extrapolate trends to be evaluated at a national level.  Finding a way to evaluate the meaning of values and beliefs becomes challenging when one considers that ‘being a good friend’ or ‘expressing love’ can take on different forms in different cultures.  Finding equivalence in ideas and value expression is the first step in attempting large-scale multinational or cross-cultural comparisons.  However, before one begins to examine others, it is useful to have deep understanding of oneself.

Using Schwartz’s 10 value dimensions, this author will perform a self-analysis.  Using the broad bipolar horizontal and vertical dimensions to start, this author would place himself in the corner of openness to change and self-enhancement (Smith et al., 2006).  However, there are several values in other areas that are very important and should be included in this author’s self-analysis.  Each value and its importance to this author will be examined in turn.

1.              Power.  Concern over public image, social power or recognition has never been very important to this author.  While wealth is always nice to have, it is not worth the endless pursuit that some of this author’s peers have sacrificed to achieve.  Overall, there are many other values more important than power.

2.              Security.  This author is split on the values that comprise security.  Aspects such as clean and reciprocation of favors are very important.  However, other aspects, such as sense of belonging, are not a high priority.  Having lived among cultures where it was made clear this author was an outsider and enjoying that life, belonging in a place is what you make.

3.              Conformity.  While self-discipline is important, this author would not include that value as part of conformity.  Conformity is not a value that this author embodies or believes to be beneficial.  Breaking the norm helps advance society in new directions, not always the best directions, but challenging traditions is what leads to new breakthroughs in thought.

4.              Tradition.  Similar to conformity, tradition is something that does not hold much value to this author.  Just because its tradition doesn’t make it good, it makes it old.  Some traditions are great and help build a connection to the culture and history of a people, others are held on to long beyond their usefulness.

5.              Benevolence.  This value group is very important and where this author would place self-discipline.  Honesty, loyalty, responsibility and friendship are values that this author tries to embody on a daily basis.

6.              Universalism.  Growing out of benevolence, universalism comes naturally; one cannot exist without the other.  Taking a broadminded view, equality and social justice, along with appreciation of nature are reasons why this author decided to move from China to Hawaii.  Life in China was an amazing experience, but the call of nature and enjoying the natural world in which you live was more important than the financial opportunities available.

7.              Self-Direction.  This value is the most important on the list.  It embodies the majority of the driving factors that have affected life decisions this author has made.  Choosing own goals, curious, freedom; these values motivated this author to move to China, study psychology, and engage in the lifestyle currently enjoyed.

8.              Stimulation.  This is a close second to self-direction.  Education and self-enhancement come first, but only as long as life can be exciting and fun.  It is the fun factor that makes the hard work worthwhile. 

9.              Hedonism.  While stimulation and self-direction are similar to hedonism, it lacks the self-regulation needed to achieve success.  Pleasure, for this author, comes from success and achievement, not simply for indulgence sake.

10.           Achievement.  This value would rank third in this author’s hierarchy of values.  Hard work, self-discipline and an exciting life payout in achievement.  While learning a new skill is a worthwhile endeavor, intelligence, ability and success are very important.  There is only so long this author can spend in a pursuit that does not yield some sense of achievement.

Classifying oneself on Schwartz’s value scale is difficult, trying to extend this to a culture of diverse individuals would be even more challenging.  Taking that beyond to multicultural comparisons is a trying task at best.  The research that has been put forward so far shows great convergence on the overall meaning behind each of the values measured by Schwartz, but more research will be needed to continually update and improve cross-cultural comparisons.

References

Smith, P.B., Bond, M.H., & Kagitcibasi, C.  (2006).  Understanding social psychology across cultures: Living and working in a changing world.  London: Sage Publications.