Shalom Schwartz’ Universal Values

See: Concept: Values and Schwartz Values Survey

Notes about Shalom Schwartz theory on universal Values (via Google Bard):

Sure, here is a summary of Shalom Schwartz theory of universal human values:

• The theory identifies ten basic human values:
  • Self-direction: independent thought and action – choosing, creating, exploring.
  • Stimulation: excitement, novelty, and challenge – a varied and exciting life.
  • Hedonism: pleasure and sensuous gratification – enjoying life and having fun.
  • Achievement: personal success through demonstrating competence according to social standards – mastery, ambition, and success.
  • Power: social status and prestige – control or influence over others.
  • Security: safety, harmony, and stability of society, of relationships, and of self – protection, order, and responsibility.
  • Conformity: restraint of actions, inclinations, and impulses that are contrary to prevailing social norms or the expectations of others – self-discipline, politeness, and obedience.
  • Tradition: respect, commitment, and acceptance of the customs and ideas that one’s culture or religion provides – dutifulness, respect for tradition, and accepting my portion in life.
  • Benevolence: helpfulness, care, and concern for the welfare of others – helpfulness, forgiveness, and understanding.
  • Universalism: understanding, appreciation, tolerance, and protection for the welfare of all people and for nature – broadmindedness, equality, and social justice.
• These values are arranged in a circular structure, with each value being opposed to one or more other values. This reflects the fact that values can sometimes conflict with each other. For example, the value of power can conflict with the value of benevolence, as when someone seeks to achieve their own goals at the expense of others.
• The theory also proposes that values can be grouped into four motivational types, based on their underlying goal or motivation:
  • Self-enhancement: values that focus on the individual’s own needs and interests, such as power, achievement, and hedonism.
  • Openness to change: values that focus on change, new experiences, and personal growth, such as self-direction, stimulation, and hedonism.
  • Conservation: values that focus on the preservation of the status quo, such as security, conformity, and tradition.
  • Universalism: values that focus on the welfare of others and of nature, such as benevolence, universalism, and security.
• The theory has been supported by empirical research, which has shown that the ten basic values are recognized across cultures and that they have a similar hierarchical structure in different cultures.

The Schwartz theory of universal human values is a useful framework for understanding the different values that people hold. It can be used to help people understand their own values, to compare their values to those of others, and to understand the potential conflicts and compatibilities between different values.

[Author’s Note: The above text was AI-generated and may not be accurate. The overarching intent behind this blog post is to provide a starting point for discussions among aspiring community builders. Just as startup founders can benefit from startup oriented content (such as those provided by accelerators and incubators), community builders can benefit from community building oriented content. If you are an aspiring community builder, please contribute to the discussion by commenting on this post]