Journal article
A Novel Measure of Moral Boundaries: Testing Perceived In-group/Out-group Value Differences in a Midwestern Sample
Socius : sociological research for a dynamic world, Vol.4
01/2018
DOI: 10.1177/2378023118818741
Abstract
The literature on group differences and social identities has long assumed that value judgments about groups constitute a basic form of social categorization. However, little research has empirically investigated how values unite or divide social groups. The authors seek to address this gap by developing a novel measure of group values: third-order beliefs about in- and out-group members, building on Schwartz value theory. The authors demonstrate that their new measure is a promising empirical tool for quantifying previously abstract social boundaries. Results from a midwestern sample show an important dichotomy such that in-groups were attributed the more positive and altruistic transcendence and openness values, while out-groups were associated conservation and enhancement, the value domains revolving around a self-focus and social restraint. Furthermore, religious attendance and political ideology also emerged as strong predictors of value boundaries, whereas socioeconomic indicators were less influential. Significance and implications are discussed.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- A Novel Measure of Moral Boundaries: Testing Perceived In-group/Out-group Value Differences in a Midwestern Sample
- Creators
- Rengin B. Firat - University of California, RiversideHye Won Kwon - National Research University Higher School of EconomicsSteven Hitlin - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Socius : sociological research for a dynamic world, Vol.4
- DOI
- 10.1177/2378023118818741
- ISSN
- 2378-0231
- eISSN
- 2378-0231
- Grant note
- name: U.S. Department of Defense, Minerva Initiative (2013), the U. S. Army Research Laboratory and the U. S. Army Research Office, award: W911NF-13-1-0342
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/2018
- Academic Unit
- Sociology and Criminology
- Record Identifier
- 9984306239102771
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