Individual Values and Social Psychological Capital: A Cross-Cultural Analysis

Abstract

The objective of the presentis study was to evaluate the influence of individual values on the social psychological capital of various ethnical groups. In the theoretical part of the article, the phenomenology of social psychological capital was is analyzed and seen as a resource of psychological relationships that forms the basis of social capital. The A hypothesis wasis proposed suggested suggesting that the values of the block Self-Transcendence trait (Universalism and Benevolence) are positively connected to the social psychological capital of personality, while the values from the Self-Enhancement block trait (Hedonism, Power) have an the opposite effect. The vValues of the block Conservation trait (Security, Conformity) negatively connected to social psychological capital, while the values of the block Openness to Change trait (Self-Direction, Stimulation) are either positively connected to social psychological capital or don’t have any no connection whatsoever. Then Following this, a cross-cultural analysis of the influence of value orientations on social psychological capital was conducted. The instruments used included the Schwartz Value Survey SVS-57, as well as some of the author’s surveys for the study of social psychological capital. On In the example of three ethnic groups, Russians (N=109), Chechens (N=100), and Ingushs (N=109), it is shown that though the influence of personal values on social psychological capital exhibits clear logic, it may have certain cultural features. Individual values show certain influence on social psychological capital. The percentage of dispersion of social psychological capital, explained by individual values, ranges from 8% to 32% according to various parameters in different ethnical groups. In On the whole, the Self-Transcendence values (Benevolence, Universalism) have a positive influence on social psychological capital, in contrast to Self-Enhancement values, that which influence it negatively. The values of Openness to Change have a positive impact on civic identity, but are negatively associated with perceived social capital. The values of Conservation have a positive influence on civic (Russian) identity within the Ingush ethnic group. Individual values that dominate in representatives of society influence the social psychological capital. That is why the violation of the balanced dynamic structure of values (strengthening of importance of some values) may have a negative effect for social capital of a society. Of course, social capital won’t will not suffer if there is an increase in Benevolence and Universalism, but an increase in other values may have a negative effect for social capital.