Values as predictors of judgments and behaviors: The role of abstract and concrete mindsets.

Abstract

This research makes strides toward reconciling mixed findings in the value-behavior relation by positing that values are abstract representations of ideal end states that are more likely to influence behavior when individuals think abstractly (vs. concretely) and focus on high-(vs. low-) level motivations for interpreting their actions. In 6 experiments, the authors measured the importance of values (or made them salient via a priming procedure) and simultaneously manipulated accessible mindsets (abstract vs. concrete), and assessed their effect on judgments and behaviors. An abstract (and not a concrete) mindset led participants to engage in judgments or behaviors that were consistent with a broad range of values, including power, benevolence, universalism, self-direction, individualism, and collectivism. These results support the notion that values are more likely to be expressed through value-congruent judgments and behaviors when individuals think abstractly about their actions, and not when they think concretely. Two of the experiments examined the process underlying these effects. Keywords: values, mindsets, behaviorOne recurring theme in personality psychology is the relative influence of values on judgments and behaviors. Values are conceptions of desirable end states that reflect what is important to us in our lives (Feather, 1990(Feather, , 1995Schwartz & Bilsky, 1987. For instance, an individual might think of him-or herself as a person who values equality and social justice. The natural way to live up to these values is by behaving in ways that express them-such as by devoting time to improve the life of others. Although numerous empirical studies support a value-behavior relation (e.g., Rokeach, 1973;Schwartz, 1996), the variability in the size of this relationship across different value domains suggests that its strength may be impacted by facilitating or impeding factors (see Bardi & Schwartz, 2003). This research tries to reconcile reported inconsistencies in the strength of the valuebehavior relation by studying the effect of abstract and concrete ways of thinking on the expression of values. A mechanism is proposed to predict the conditions under which values will be expressed through value-congruent judgments and behaviors.We argue that the strength of the value-behavior relation is affected by the accessibility of cognitive operations, or mindsets (see Gollwitzer, 1996), that facilitate (or impair) defining a situation in terms of relevant values (e.g., as one in which social justice is involved). The accessibility of cognitive operations that facilitate defining or construing a situation in terms of relevant values should lead to value-congruent judgments and behaviors. In contrast, the activation of cognitive operations that impair construing a situation in terms of values should lead to judgments and behaviors dissociated from these values. The main objective of this research is to analyze the effect of making readily accessible cognitive operations that facilitate (impair) the focus on th...

Inclusion de la diversité culturelle dans un modèle multifactoriel de la représentation d’une bonne école chez les étudiants-maîtres québécois

“…Celui-ci a tendance à penser momentanément de manière concrète ou abstraite, à se concentrer soit sur les aspects abstraits soit sur les aspects concrets d'une situation (Freitas, Gollwitzer et Trope, 2004;Freitas, Salovey et Liberman, 2001;Fujita, Trope, Liberman et Levin-Sagi, 2006). Toutefois, les valeurs s'illustrent mieux grâce à l'analyse des faits et des gestes des individus lorsqu'ils réfléchissent ou formulent des jugements que lorsqu'ils sont en pleine action (Rohan, 2000;Torelli et Kaikati, 2009). Enfin, certains auteurs suggèrent des regroupements de valeurs par catégories.…”

“…Ces valeurs permettent de prédire des comportements particulièrement lorsque les individus réfléchissent ou formulent des jugements (Rohan, 2000;Torelli et Kaikati, 2009). Les différentes valeurs adoptées par les futurs maîtres forment des ensembles cohérents et hiérarchisés en catégories comme des valeurs personnelles, sociales et collectives, morales et éthiques (Bréchon, 2000;Greenbank, 2003;Rocher, 1969;Rokeach, 1979;Royer et al, 2004).…”

An empirical investigation of fraud risk assessment and knowledge requirement on fraud related problem representation in Nigeria

“…Prior studies have made available empirical evidence to argue the assertion that KR influences the development of individuals' FRPR, which in turn inspire their task performances (Chui, 2010;Torelli and Kaikati, 2009). This study asserts that there is a significant relationship between KR and FRPR.…”

Forensic Accounting Knowledge and Mindset on Task Performance Fraud Risk Assessment

“…Torelli and Kaikati (2009) saw values as predictors of judgements and behaviours. They postulate that values are abstract representations of the ideal, and, therefore, are more likely to impact behaviour when individuals think abstractly versus concretely; and focus on high versus low level motivations for interpreting their actions.…”