Dimensions of culture in intra-cultural comparisons: Individualism/collectivism and family-related values in three generations

Trommsdorff, Gisela; Mayer, Boris; Albert, Isabelle (2004). Dimensions of culture in intra-cultural comparisons: Individualism/collectivism and family-related values in three generations. In: Vinken, Henk; Soeters, Joseph; Ester, Peter (eds.) Comparing cultures: Dimensions of culture in a comparative perspective. International Studies in Sociology and Social Anthropology: Vol. 93 (pp. 157-179). Leiden: Brill

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The goal of the present study is to supplement inter-cultural comparison of values as a cultural dimension by intra-cultural comparisons, and to go beyond comparisons of single values representing cultural dimensions by studying value patterns on the individual level. Therefore, relationships among general (individualism, collectivism) and domain-specific (family- and child-related) values and the transmission of values in three generations of one family were analyzed. The sample consisted of 100 complete triads of three generations (grandmothers, mothers, and adolescents). The results showed that the individual value orientations of these three generations dif- fered in the expected direction. Individualistic values were more supported by the younger and less by the older generation. While individualism did not show significant relations to other specific values, collectivism was the most powerful dimension to predict family and child-related values. Individual- ism and collectivism clearly turned out as separate dimensions with different functions for the individual value system. The value structure of grandmoth- ers as compared to the younger generations showed more internal consistency. A relative transmission of values was obvious for the adjacent generations. The results are discussed from the perspective of cultural change and stability, and the relation among cultural dimensions and individual value orientations.

Item Type:	Book Section (Book Chapter)
Division/Institute:	07 Faculty of Human Sciences > Institute of Psychology > Cognitive Psychology, Perception and Methodology
UniBE Contributor:	Mayer, Boris
Subjects:	100 Philosophy > 150 Psychology
ISSN:	0074-8684
ISBN:	9789004131156
Series:	International Studies in Sociology and Social Anthropology
Publisher:	Brill
Language:	English
Submitter:	Boris Mayer
Date Deposited:	06 Oct 2014 11:22
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2022 14:32
URI:	https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/48722