The theory of the value system of Strodbeck and Klakhon is a theory of basic human values in cross-cultural psychology , which, based on mathematical research methods, claims that people share common biological characteristics and characteristics that form the basis for the development of culture. Value orientations here are defined as logically grouped, complex principles that give direction to the motives of human thinking.
Content
Theory Background
The Formation of a Common Value Attitude of Man to the World
Since birth, every child actively masters the culture to which he belongs. This happens during communication with relatives and strangers using verbal and non-verbal communication techniques. Based on certain principles adopted in the process of this communication , a person forms for himself the categories of good and evil, fair and unfair. Comprehending the events around him, a person decides for himself what seems to him to be important in life and what seems completely unimportant - as a result of this process, his value attitude to the world is formed, in accordance with which all objects and phenomena are considered by him according to the criterion of importance and suitability for his life [1] . Each event, each subject receives a certain rating on the scale of values, from which the attitude to it is formed.
As a result, we obtain a general value relation of a person to the world, in which certain phenomena of people's life have a certain meaning and significance for them.
The value of values in the life of an individual and society as a whole is extremely great. Thanks to them, the process of selecting the necessary information during communication takes place, social contacts are established, and interaction skills are strengthened. Value is not a thing, but a person’s attitude to a thing (event, process, another person). [2] Recognizing the role of values in the process of a person’s relationship with nature, society, his inner circle and himself, K. Klakhon and F. Strodbek create a theory of a value system, and the main concept is defined as “complex, grouped principles in a certain way that give harmony and direction various motives of human thinking and activity in the course of solving common human problems ” [3] .
In human consciousness, there are many values at the same time, therefore it is justifiable to talk about a system of values, since values do not exist randomly, they are in a certain way ordered in relation to each other. On this basis, each culture has its own system of values, reflecting its specific position in the world. The value system is usually a hierarchy in which values are arranged in increasing importance. Thanks to this system, the integrity of this culture, its unique appearance, and the necessary degree of order and predictability are ensured.
The essence of the theory
Key
According to researchers, values play a paramount role in the inclusion of the personality system and the sociocultural system, providing the necessary relevance between them. In this regard, both personal and social life necessarily require value standards, in respect of which universal consent should dominate. On the three postulates listed below, the whole theory of the value system is built: [4]
- people of all cultures are united by the fact that they are called to solve the same human problems;
- there is a limited set of available solutions, each of which has its own rank in a certain culture within a given set;
- all alternatives to all decisions are presented in all societies at all times, but are differently preferred by people. [five]
Value Orientations
Value orientations are the result of the resolution by representatives of diverse cultures of the same problems that arise in all. These are answers to the questions: "How to relate to nature? What is the nature of man? What is the temporal focus of human life? How to relate to other people? What is the main motivation for behavior? [6] "
Attitude to the environment (nature)
The authors distinguish three main types of relations between man and nature: harmony with nature, the conquest of nature by man and the dominance of nature. Harmony with nature - the absence of confrontation between nature and the supernatural, productive and rich interaction. A great example here is the culture of China , Japan . The conquest of nature implies the subjugation of natural forces, their direction to the service of man. This description recognizes the culture of the United States . The dominance of nature is the belief that it cannot be placed under human control. Individuals from cultures with this type of orientation usually do not resort to the advice of a doctor on the verge of death (the traditional culture of Spain ).
Time Attitude
According to the authors, this issue is one of the key that cause intercultural conflicts. Continuing Hall 's ideas about dividing cultures into polychronic and monochronous, Klakhon and Strodbeck emphasize that only one of the temporary directions (past, present, future) is prevailing for society. Most European countries cherish their traditions , for example, Great Britain, values the past; The United States, in turn, is more future-oriented. [7]
Business Orientation
According to their theory, cultures can be divided into active, passive and existential.
Active cultures mean cultures aimed at the result. For people of such cultures, it is not customary to sit idle for a long time ( Germany , Australia , Great Britain ). Passive cultures are more spontaneous, a person of such a warehouse can put off things for a long time in order to attract his forces to achieve the goal at the very last moment. [8] According to the authors of the theory, such are the Spanish, Italian, Russian cultures. Finally, existential cultures are those in which human activity takes place constantly, but is mainly directed not to the outside world, but to the inside. These are, for example, the cultures of Southeast Asia.
Human Relationships
F. Klakhon and F. Strodbek distinguish three options: linearity / authoritarianism, collaterality / social orientation and individualism. [6] The authors cite the English aristocracy as an example of linearity (authoritarianism). Much attention is paid to the family, family, tradition; great importance is given to the hierarchy of relations. Social orientation (collaterality) is focused on improving relations in a group, rather than improving the life of a particular individual. People of such cultures are aware that they live in society, and their activity is aimed at ensuring its needs, and not satisfaction of their needs. The authors distinguish Indian and Japanese culture as collateral. Finally, for industrial countries, individualism is more characteristic - personal goals are priority for the individual and are placed above the interests of the group.
Criticism
One of the first who spoke in foreign sociological literature with a criticism of the concept of value of C. Klakhon was Adler . He believed that one cannot talk about value as an abstraction of a researcher and at the same time as an implicit concept of an individual or group. According to Adler, the ability of values to influence people's behavior is also problematic. Perceptions of the desirable, the American sociologist argued, may not have any effect on the decisions or actions of individuals at all. [9]
At the present stage of the concept of value, Klakhon and Strodbeck is regarded as subjective-idealistic.
Links
- ↑ Parameters for determining value orientations . wearelinguists.narod.ru. Date of appeal October 31, 2017.
- ↑ Lurie S.V. Historical Ethnology. - 1997.
- ↑ SuperInf.ru. Theoretical approaches to the study of values in foreign and domestic cross-cultural psychology . superinf.ru. Date of appeal October 31, 2017.
- ↑ Danilkova, Marina Petrovna. The concept of value theory from the standpoint of dialectical methodology (Russian) . - 2008.
- ↑ F. Kluckhohm and F. Strodbeck. Variations in Value Orientations.
- ↑ 1 2 Clyde Kluckhohn . Cross-cultural value research. Date of appeal October 31, 2017.
- ↑ Methodological approaches to the analysis of values and value orientations, The concept of value in classical sociology - Values and value orientations of modern youth . studwood.ru. Date of appeal October 31, 2017.
- ↑ Definition of the concept of values in the works of K. Klakhon Neopr . www.geoglobus.ru. Date of appeal October 31, 2017.
- ↑ Are you definitely human? . CyberLenink. Date of appeal October 31, 2017.