Combining social axioms with values in predicting social behaviours

Abstract

Recently, Leung et al. (2002) have identified a pan‐cultural set of five dimensions tapping beliefs about the world in which each individual functions. These general axioms may be conceptualized as individual assessments of the social context constraining one's behavioural choices. As such, we hypothesize that these beliefs about the world may be combined with measures of motivation to predict an individual's actions. To test this model, the present research examined the usefulness of these social axioms as predictors of behavioural tendencies in conjunction with four comprehensive dimensions of values (Schwartz, 1992). Hierarchical regression analyses showed that social axioms added moderate predictive power over and above that provided by values to vocational choices, methods of conflict resolution, and coping styles. Specifically, reward for application was related to preference for conventional jobs and accommodation in conflict resolution; religiosity was related to accommodation and to competition in conflict resolution; social cynicism was related negatively to collaboration and to compromise in conflict resolution, and positively to wishful thinking in coping; fate control was related positively to wishful thinking and distancing in coping; and social complexity was related to compromise and to collaboration in conflict resolution, and to problem‐solving as a coping strategy. It thus seems as if measures of respondents' beliefs about the external, social world supplement measures of their internal motivations to achieve various goals. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Contextualism as an Important Facet of Individualism-Collectivism

“…We expected that contextualism beliefs would be correlated with relevant dimensions of values and self-construals at the cultural level, as they have been theorized as elements of the same cultural syndrome (Triandis, 1993). At the individual level, however, there was little reason to expect these constructs to be correlated, as a person's beliefs, values, and representations of the self do not necessarily go together consistently and often show very little overlap (Bond, Leung, Au, Tong, & Chemonges-Nielson, 2004).…”

Do people’s world views matter? The why and how.

“…Previous studies have established that social axioms as a cognitive construct are distinct from values as a motivational construct, because values focus on "what", that is, important goals in one's life, whereas social axioms focus on "how", that is, the ways to achieve these goals (Leung, Au, Huang, Kurman, Niit, & Niit, 2007). Social axioms have also been shown to predict individual difference variables, such as vocational interests, ways of coping, and styles of conflict resolution, over and above values (Bond et al, 2004a).…”

“…It reflects confidence in human agency that is empowered by knowledge, effort, and careful planning. The expectancy of reinforcement motivates individuals to face challenges and overcome difficulties, adopt active coping strategies (Bond, Leung, Au, Tong, & Chemonges-Nielson, 2004a), and adjust better in intercultural contexts (Safdar, Lewis, & Daneshpour, 2006). Thus, we hypothesize that reward for application will be related to positive self-views and better psychological well-being.…”

Charismatic and Transformational Leadership Styles: A Cross-Cultural Perspective

“…Although cross-cultural management research has primarily relied on cultural value dimensions such as those described by Hofstede (1980), Trompenaars (1993), and others, to understand cultural differences in behavior, researchers have noted (Bond, Leung, Tong & Chemonges-Nielson, 2004;Earley & Mosakowaski, 2002) that cultural values may not be treated as the sole predictor of individual responses, and that external norms and constraints need to be considered for a fuller understanding (Gelfand et al, 2006). The concept of tight and loose cultures focuses on the strength of social norms and the degree of sanctioning within societies, in a bid to understand behavior.…”