Join us on January 21, 2021 18:00-19:00 (GMT+9) for the presentation “Away from the fictitious middle individual in value research!”
Authors: Adrian Stanciu (Jacobs University), Erich H. Witte (University of Hamburg), and Klaus Boehnke (Jacobs University)
Abstract: Value theories are formulated either at the individual or the cultural level, and for a good reason so. However, if the ultimate goal in value research is to unify the different theories (Schwartz’s, Hofstede’s, Welzel’s, etc.), we must first find ways to formulate a theory that specifies the realities at both levels of aggregation. Schwartz’s formulations come closest to this goal as his individual level theory specifies values as motivated action, while his cultural level theory specifies values as strategies of the collective in dealing with societal challenges. In this session, I highlight a methodological shortcoming in value research after Schwartz–the overreliance on average scores which hinders the theoretical and empirical transferability of value preferences of the individual to the cultural level. Instead, I introduce the distribution approach which uses frequencies of individual value preferences to construct value orientations at the cultural level. I discuss how the two levels of aggregation can be integrated in this approach, present findings based on European Social Survey data and show how value orientations at the cultural level are emergent in contexts of societal challenges (or lack thereof), and report on possible ways forward to a unified Schwartz value theory that is multi-dimensional. I invite participants to a dialogue on the raised issues and also I look forward to suggestions on how to further develop this research program.
How to join: Send an email to [email protected] with your name and affiliation to be added to the mail list. A link to Zoom will be sent to you before the meeting.