SOCI 1101 Understanding Society Dr. San Giovanni

A Comparison of Values

Below is a comparison of some basic values of the citizens of the U.S. and those held by more traditional, developing societies. This list was complied by the Washington International Center, Washington, D.C., an organization that helps officials and citizens from other nations when they come to the U.S.

U.S. Values (Modernity) Traditional Values

personal control over environment fate

change tradition

time human interaction

equality hierarchy/rank/status

individualism welfare of the group

self help dependence on group

competition competition

future orientation past orientation

work/action “being orientation”

informality formality

directness/openness/honesty indirectness/ritual/“face”

practicality/efficiency idealism

materialism/acquisitiveness spirituality/detachment