Basic Values in EuropeBasic Values in Europe

Shalom SchwartzShalom SchwartzThe Hebrew University of JerusalemThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem

ESS Launch ConferenceESS Launch ConferenceBrussels Brussels

November 25, 2003November 25, 2003

As a guiding principle in As a guiding principle in your life, how important your life, how important

is:is: equalityequality

loyaltyloyalty

wealthwealth

ambitionambition

obedienceobedience

pleasure pleasure

creativity creativity

humility humility

social ordersocial order

an exciting lifean exciting life

What are basic values?What are basic values?

Basic values are beliefs about desirable goals in life.Basic values are beliefs about desirable goals in life.

Values are intrinsically positive (unlike goals)Values are intrinsically positive (unlike goals)

Values apply across situations--all (e.g., Values apply across situations--all (e.g., honesty, security, honesty, security, freedomfreedom) apply at work, in the family, and with friends) apply at work, in the family, and with friends

People’s values form a fairly stable hierarchy of relative People’s values form a fairly stable hierarchy of relative importance

(success>hedonism>security))

RelativeRelative importance of values is crucial to decisions importance of values is crucial to decisions Take a new job and move family?Take a new job and move family?

((achievement & stimulation vs. security & achievement & stimulation vs. security & benevolencebenevolence))

Why are values important?Why are values important?

Functions of valuesFunctions of values

motivate choice of behavior--motivate choice of behavior--what we dowhat we do

justify past behavior--justify past behavior--why we do itwhy we do it

standards to evaluate people & events--standards to evaluate people & events-- who who and what we like, underlie our and what we like, underlie our attitudesattitudes

direct attention and perception--direct attention and perception--what wewhat we noticenotice

Inferring Basic Values in SurveysInferring Basic Values in Surveys

Surveys typically measure values with attitude Surveys typically measure values with attitude questions in specific life domains questions in specific life domains (religion, morality, (religion, morality, politics, work, etc.)politics, work, etc.). .

Infer underlying basic value orientations from Infer underlying basic value orientations from responses to these specific questions responses to these specific questions (e.g., (e.g.,

materialism, individualismmaterialism, individualism))

But meanings of responses depend on specific But meanings of responses depend on specific social and economic conditions social and economic conditions (e.g., (e.g., meaning of “give meaning of “give people more say in government” depends on whether one people more say in government” depends on whether one favors or opposes current government policiesfavors or opposes current government policies))

UniversalismSelf-

Direction

Stimulation

Hedonism

Achievement

Power

Benevolence

Security

Conformity Tradition

Self-Enhancement

Openness to Change

Conservation

Self-Transcendence

Obedience Humility Devoutness

Helpfulness

Social Justice, Equality

Creativity, Freedom

Exciting Life

Pleasure

Success, Ambition

Authority, Wealth

Social Order

Organized by motivational similarities and dissimilarities

Empirical Tests of TheoryEmpirical Tests of Theory

75,000 + respondents, varied samples in 68 75,000 + respondents, varied samples in 68 countries countries

Instrument lists 57 abstract value items Instrument lists 57 abstract value items

““How important is each item as a guiding How important is each item as a guiding principle in principle in youryour life?” life?”

Near Universal Content & Near Universal Content & StructureStructure

Each of 10 values distinguished in vast majority Each of 10 values distinguished in vast majority of countriesof countries

Comprehensive: Added items identified no other Comprehensive: Added items identified no other valuesvalues

Oppositions present in virtually all countries Oppositions present in virtually all countries Openness vs. Conservation Openness vs. Conservation

Self-Enhancement vs. Self TranscendenceSelf-Enhancement vs. Self Transcendence

10 values ordered around circle as theorized in 10 values ordered around circle as theorized in vast majority of countriesvast majority of countries

Some Correlates of Value PrioritiesSome Correlates of Value PrioritiesReplicated across CountriesReplicated across Countries

voting for conservative vs liberal voting for conservative vs liberal partiesparties

adopting technological innovationsadopting technological innovations

environmentally friendly attitudes, environmentally friendly attitudes, activitiesactivities

religiosity [6 monotheistic religions]religiosity [6 monotheistic religions]

SE/PO vs UN/SDSE/PO vs UN/SD

ST/SD vs SE/TR/COST/SD vs SE/TR/CO

UN/SD vs PO/ACUN/SD vs PO/AC

TR/CO vs HE/STTR/CO vs HE/STSelf-Direction

STimulation

UNiversalism

BEnevolence

COnformity

Hedonism

AChievement

POwer SEcurity

TRadition

ESS Basic Values InstrumentESS Basic Values Instrument

Need easy instrument for heterogeneous samples Need easy instrument for heterogeneous samples

21 items, each portraying a person in terms of one value 21 items, each portraying a person in terms of one value (goal) that is important to him/her(goal) that is important to him/her

It's very important to him to help the people It's very important to him to help the people around him. He wants to care for their well-around him. He wants to care for their well-being.being. (BE) (BE)

Respondent rates how similar that person is to meRespondent rates how similar that person is to me

Indirectly reveals what values are more or less Indirectly reveals what values are more or less important to self important to self

1.Thinking up new ideas and being creative is important to her. She likes to do things in her own original way. (Self-Direction)

123456

2. It is important to her to be rich. She wants to have a lot of money and expensive things. (Power)

123456

3. She thinks it is important that every person in the world be treated equally. She believes everyone should have equal opportunities in life. (Universalism)

123456

Very Very much much like like meme

Like Like meme

Some-Some-what what like like meme

A little A little like like meme

Not Not like like meme

Not Not like like

me at me at allall

How much like you is this person?How much like you is this person?ESS Basic Values Exemplary Items and Response Scale

Value Structures in Europe: FindingsValue Structures in Europe: Findings

Across Europe, people’s values are organized in Across Europe, people’s values are organized in the same way as postulated by theorythe same way as postulated by theory

Oppositions Oppositions ((openness vs. conservation; self-enhancement vs. openness vs. conservation; self-enhancement vs. self-transcendenceself-transcendence)) present in all countries present in all countries

Exactly or very near theorized order of 10 values in every Exactly or very near theorized order of 10 values in every countrycountry

In 13 countries, every item in expected value region; in two In 13 countries, every item in expected value region; in two countries, one item near regioncountries, one item near region

This signifies relative equivalence of value meanings across This signifies relative equivalence of value meanings across countries—countries—now compare importancenow compare importance

Self-Direction (3-6)

Achievement(5-9)

Conformity(4-9)

Sweden

Universalism (1-4)

Czech

Greece

Hungary

Slovenia

Poland

Spain

Ireland

Norway

Finland

Netherl

Israel

Switzl

Portugal Britain

Security(1-5) Tradition(4-7)

Stimulation (8-10)

Pow

er (8-10)

Benevolence (1

-4)

Opposition to Outgroup ImmigrationOpposition to Outgroup ImmigrationPredictors in 10 West European CountriesPredictors in 10 West European Countries

Opposition: allow people of a different race or ethnic group from most, residualized on allow same (1-4 scale). All betas p<.001. Age, unemployment, rural-urban do not predict significantly.

Allow no immi-grants

R2=.085Education Years

Religiosity

Universalism Values

Security Values

Household Income

Tradition Values

Benevolence Values

Conformity Values

Native Born

Gender Male

-.03

-.03

.04

.04

.04

.05

.07

-.11

-.15

.11

Perceived Consequences of ImmigrationPerceived Consequences of ImmigrationPredictors in 10 West European CountriesPredictors in 10 West European Countries

Consequences: increase jobs, pay more taxes than services used, improve economy, enrich culture, country better place to live, reduce crime problem: alpha at least .80 in all countries.All betas p<.001; Age & Unemployment do not predict significantly

Index of 6 Positive

Effects

R2=.173

Education Years

Native Born

Universalism Values

Security Values

Household Income

Tradition Values

Benevolence Values

Conformity Values

Religiosity

Rural

Gender M

.20

.17

-.14

.07

-.11

-.03

-.05

-.05

.03

.06

.04

Value Structures in Value Structures in Europe: TestEurope: Test

MDS analysis in each MDS analysis in each countrycountry

Arranges items in space to Arranges items in space to show which ones are similar show which ones are similar and different—based on and different—based on correlationscorrelations

Items representing each Items representing each value should form a distinct value should form a distinct regionregion

Value regions should array Value regions should array in space around circle as in in space around circle as in theorytheory

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | 3 | | | | 8 | | | | | | | | 1 | | 19 | | |

| 12 11 | | 18 | | | | | | |

| 6 | | | | |

| 9 | | |

| 21 | | 15| | 10 | | 14 | | | | |

| 20 5 13 | | |

| 16 4 | | | | | | | | | | | |

| 7 17 2 | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

PO SE CO

TR

BE

AC

HE

ST

SD UN

Universalism

Benevolence

Self-Direction

Stimulation

Tradition Hedonism

Achievement Conformity

Power Security

CH, SE PL, GR

FI, CH GR, IL

SE, CH HU, SL

GR, PT FI, NL

GB, FI HU, CZ

CH, HU CZ, PL

IL, SL FI, CZ

GR, IL CH, FI

CZ, HU NO, SE

CZ PL PT, CH

Highest Lowest

-1.0

-0.8

-0.6

-0.4

-0.2

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

Average Value Priorities in 15 Countries

Correlation Value Order Country x AverageMean .92( .84 to .99) IL ES

Countries Ordered on Value Priorities 1Countries Ordered on Value Priorities 1TRADITIONTRADITIONCONFORMITYCONFORMITYSECURITYSECURITY

11GreeceGreeceCzech Rep.Czech Rep.Czech Rep.Czech Rep.

22Czech Rep.Czech Rep.PolandPolandHungaryHungary

33PortugalPortugalNorwayNorwayPolandPoland

44Poland Poland FinlandFinlandGreeceGreece

55SloveniaSloveniaGreeceGreecePortugalPortugal

66SpainSpainNetherlandsNetherlandsIrelandIreland

77IrelandIrelandSpain Spain SpainSpain

88HungaryHungaryIrelandIrelandFinlandFinland

99SwedenSwedenGreat BritainGreat BritainIsraelIsrael

1010NorwayNorwaySloveniaSloveniaGreat BritainGreat Britain

1111SwitzerlandSwitzerlandSwedenSwedenSloveniaSlovenia

1212Great BritainGreat BritainHungaryHungaryNetherlandsNetherlands

1313IsraelIsraelIsraelIsraelSwitzerlandSwitzerland

1414FinlandFinlandPortugalPortugalNorwayNorway

1515NetherlandsNetherlandsSwitzerlandSwitzerlandSwedenSweden

Countries Ordered on Value Priorities 2Countries Ordered on Value Priorities 2POWERPOWERACHIEVEMENTACHIEVEMENTHEDONISMHEDONISM

11GreeceGreeceIsraelIsraelSwitzerlandSwitzerland

22IsraelIsraelSloveniaSloveniaHungaryHungary

33PolandPolandPortugalPortugalNetherlandsNetherlands

44SpainSpainHungaryHungarySwedenSweden

55Czech Rep.Czech Rep.Great BritainGreat BritainIsraelIsrael

66SloveniaSloveniaIrelandIrelandSloveniaSlovenia

77HungaryHungaryPolandPolandPortugalPortugal

88Norway Norway GreeceGreeceFinlandFinland

99IrelandIrelandNetherlandsNetherlandsGreeceGreece

1010SwedenSwedenSwitzerlandSwitzerlandGreat BritainGreat Britain

1111PortugalPortugalNorwayNorwaySpainSpain

1212Great BritainGreat BritainSpainSpainNorwayNorway

1313NetherlandsNetherlandsSwedenSwedenIrelandIreland

1414SwitzerlandSwitzerlandFinlandFinlandCzech Rep. Czech Rep.

1515FinlandFinlandCzech Rep.Czech Rep.PolandPoland

Countries Ordered on Value Priorities 3Countries Ordered on Value Priorities 3STIMULATIONSTIMULATIONSELF-DIRECTIONSELF-DIRECTIONUNIVERSALISMUNIVERSALISMBENEVOLENCEBENEVOLENCE

Great BritainGreat BritainSwitzerlandSwitzerlandFinlandFinlandSwedenSweden

FinlandFinlandSwedenSwedenSwitzerlandSwitzerlandSwitzerlandSwitzerland

SloveniaSloveniaNetherlandsNetherlandsCzech Rep.Czech Rep.NorwayNorway

NetherlandsNetherlandsGreat BritainGreat BritainSwedenSwedenFinlandFinland

NorwayNorwayNorway Norway NorwayNorwayCzech Rep.Czech Rep.

SwedenSwedenFinlandFinlandSpainSpainSpainSpain

IrelandIrelandIrelandIrelandIrelandIrelandGreat BritainGreat Britain

SwitzerlandSwitzerlandCzech Rep. Czech Rep. NetherlandsNetherlandsNetherlandsNetherlands

PolandPolandIsraelIsraelGreat BritainGreat BritainPortugalPortugal

IsraelIsraelSpainSpainPolandPolandIrelandIreland

SpainSpainHungaryHungarySloveniaSloveniaIsraelIsrael

PortugalPortugalSloveniaSloveniaHungaryHungaryPolandPoland

GreeceGreecePortugalPortugalPortugalPortugalGreeceGreece

Hungary Hungary PolandPolandGreeceGreeceHungaryHungary

Czech Rep.Czech Rep.GreeceGreeceIsraelIsraelSloveniaSlovenia

11

22

33

44

55

66

77

88

99

1010

1111

1212

1313

1414

1515

Comments on Value Circle 1Comments on Value Circle 1

Aim to derive set of universally recognized valuesAim to derive set of universally recognized values

Content of values derives from the basic goals that Content of values derives from the basic goals that people in all societies must pursuepeople in all societies must pursue

People must communicate with each other to gain People must communicate with each other to gain cooperation in pursuing their goalscooperation in pursuing their goals

needs of biological organism--e.g. hedonismneeds of biological organism--e.g. hedonism

demands of social interaction--e.g. achievementdemands of social interaction--e.g. achievement

requirements for group survival--e.g. securityrequirements for group survival--e.g. security

Comments on Value Circle 2Comments on Value Circle 2

Define each value in turn, noting exemplary value itemsDefine each value in turn, noting exemplary value itemsOpenness to ChangeOpenness to Change

SELF‑DIRECTION: Independent thought and action‑choosing, creating, exploring. SELF‑DIRECTION: Independent thought and action‑choosing, creating, exploring. (Creativity, Freedom, Independent, Curious...) (Creativity, Freedom, Independent, Curious...)

STIMULATION: Excitement, novelty, and challenge in life. (Daring, a Varied Life, an Exciting STIMULATION: Excitement, novelty, and challenge in life. (Daring, a Varied Life, an Exciting Life) Life)

ConservationConservation

SECURITY: Safety, harmony and stability of society, of relationships, and of self. (Family SECURITY: Safety, harmony and stability of society, of relationships, and of self. (Family Security, National Security, Social Order, Clean...)Security, National Security, Social Order, Clean...)

CONFORMITY: Restraint of actions, inclinations, and impulses likely to upset or harm others CONFORMITY: Restraint of actions, inclinations, and impulses likely to upset or harm others and violate social expectations or norms. (Politeness, Obedient, Honoring Parents and and violate social expectations or norms. (Politeness, Obedient, Honoring Parents and Elders...)Elders...)

TRADITION: Respect, commitment and acceptance of the customs and ideas that traditional TRADITION: Respect, commitment and acceptance of the customs and ideas that traditional culture or religion provide the self. (Humble, Devout, Respect for Tradition...) culture or religion provide the self. (Humble, Devout, Respect for Tradition...)

Self-Enhancement Self-Enhancement

POWER: Social status and prestige, control or dominance over people and resources. (Social POWER: Social status and prestige, control or dominance over people and resources. (Social Power, Authority, Wealth...) Power, Authority, Wealth...)

ACHIEVEMENT: Personal success through demonstrating competence according to social ACHIEVEMENT: Personal success through demonstrating competence according to social standards. (Successful, Ambitious, Influential...) standards. (Successful, Ambitious, Influential...)

Self-TranscendenceSelf-Transcendence

UNIVERSALISM: Understanding, appreciation, tolerance and protection for the welfare of UNIVERSALISM: Understanding, appreciation, tolerance and protection for the welfare of all people and for nature. (Broadminded, Social Justice, Equality, Protecting the all people and for nature. (Broadminded, Social Justice, Equality, Protecting the Environment) Environment)

BENEVOLENCE: Preservation and enhancement of the welfare of people with whom one is BENEVOLENCE: Preservation and enhancement of the welfare of people with whom one is in frequent personal contact. (Helpful, Honest, Forgiving...) in frequent personal contact. (Helpful, Honest, Forgiving...)

HEDONISM: Pleasure and sensuous gratification for oneself. (Pleasure, Enjoying Life) HEDONISM: Pleasure and sensuous gratification for oneself. (Pleasure, Enjoying Life)

Comments on Value Circle 3Comments on Value Circle 3

Structure reflects consequences of acting on various valuesStructure reflects consequences of acting on various values

Adjacent values share motivation & are compatible Adjacent values share motivation & are compatible (conformity & security) (conformity & security)

(power & achievement)(power & achievement)

Distant values have opposing motivations, conflict Distant values have opposing motivations, conflict (power vs. benevolence) (power vs. benevolence)

(hedonism & tradition)(hedonism & tradition)

Values formValues form a a motivational continuummotivational continuum [colors not [colors not categorical]categorical]

Theory aspires to comprehensive coverage of major Theory aspires to comprehensive coverage of major motivationally distinct types of valuesmotivationally distinct types of values

Linking Value Priorities & Other VariablesLinking Value Priorities & Other Variables

Circular structure and motivational continuum Circular structure and motivational continuum implyimply all 10 values associate systematically with any other all 10 values associate systematically with any other

variablevariable value with most positive association is usually opposite value with most positive association is usually opposite

value with most negative associationvalue with most negative association

ST

SD UN

BE

TRHE

COAC

PO SE