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.
