Browsing by Subject "cultural relativism"

Human values are studied across scientific disciplines. Our values underline what is important to us, and our values are reflected in our behaviour and the social structures that surround us. The cultural environment may contribute to value change. The values of individuals are mainly formed in younger years and remain relatively stable after a person has reached adulthood. The aim of this thesis was first to analyze the correlation between Schwartz’s (2012) universalism value structure and Inglehart’s (2014) self-expression values. Second, it was investigated whether this relationship is stronger in so-called WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) countries. The compared value structures put emphasis on factors that are often mentioned in conversations around sustainable development: environmental concern, care for other people, and social justice. In order to examine the relationship between universalism and self-expression values, a correlation analysis was performed with data from 52 countries across the world. The findings indicate a positive and statistically significant relationship (p < 0.01) between the value structures in seven of the eight WEIRD countries that were identified. In other parts of the world, the correlation was weaker and more dubious. On the one hand, the results suggest that high levels of universalism values can be combined with strong prevalence of self-expression values. Western individualism may coexist with altruism and environmental concern, in line with previous research. However, the positive correlations were rather small (0.10 < r < 0.30), signalling that the value structures universalism and self-expression represent different types of values with unique content. On the other hand, in a couple of nations bordering to WEIRD, the positive relationship between the value structures was due to relatively low levels of both universalism and self-expression values. Moreover, most non-WEIRD countries did not record a significant correlation between universalism and self-expression. From a cross-cultural perspective, this might be explained by the fact that the Schwartz and Inglehart frameworks have been designed and developed in the West. Under such circumstances, human values are approached from a Western point of view, meaning that the tools of measurement possibly work best in a WEIRD context. Theories, methods, and interpretations with a Western bias are not necessarily transferable to other countries and cultures without modifications.