The American Value System

1
The American Value System

• What are the basic values that form the
  foundation of American Culture?
• What new values have developed since the 1970s?

2
The vast majority of Americans share certain
values

• American Society Association (ASA) sociologist,
  Robin M. Williams analyzed American values. He
  identified a set of 12-14 values that are central
  to the American way of life.
• Despite our diverse culture (ethnic, racial,
  religious, social-status, and geography) we share
  the following values

3
Traditional American Values (12)

• Personal Achievement
• Individualism
• Work
• Morality and Humanitarianism
• Efficiency and Practicality
• Progress and Material Comfort
• Equality and Democracy
• Freedom

4
Personal Achievement

• This value is not a surprise considering that the
  U.S. was built primarily by people who believed
  in individualism and competition.
• The belief is most evident in the area of
  employment, where achievement is often measured
  in terms of power and wealth.

5
Individualism

• Individual effort is the key to personal
  achievement. Americans strongly believe that
  success comes through hard work and initiative.
• This individualism has a negative side Most
  Americans feel that if a person does not succeed,
  that the person is to blame.

6
Work

• Most Americans value work, regardless of the
  rewards involved.
• Americans view discipline, dedication, and hard
  work as signs of virtue.
• They often view those who choose not to work as
  lazy and even immoral.

7
Morality and Humanitarianism

• The US was founded on strong religious faith, on
  the belief in justice and equality, and on
  charity toward the less fortunate.
• Most Americans place a high value on morality and
  tend to view the world in terms of right and
  wrong.
• However, we are quick to help others.

8
Efficiency and Practicality

• Americans tend to be practical and inventive
  people. They believe that every problem has a
  solution.
• Problem solving requires the most efficient
  technique and/or a practical response.
• As a result, Americans tend to judge objects on
  its usefulness and judge people on their ability
  to get things done.

9
Progress and Material Comfort

• Americans are optimistic. They believe that
  through hard work and determination, living
  standards will improve.
• This belief is paired with a belief in the
  ability of science and technology to make the
  world a better place. We strive for a high
  standard of living.
• Both are important because Americans place a high
  value on material comfort.

10
Equality and Democracy

• The US was founded on the principle of equality.
  Americans believe that to have equality, there
  must be equal opportunity and a chance at
  success.
• The belief in quality extends to the form of
  government Democracy. Americans believe that
  citizens have the right to express their opinions
  and participate freely in choosing their
  representatives in government.

11
Freedom

• Americans particularly value personal freedoms of
  choice such as religion, speech, and press.
• Americans steadfastly protect these freedoms from
  direct government interference in their daily
  lives and in business dealings.

12
Our Changing Values

• Values, like all aspects of society, are dynamic.
  They change and new ones emerge.
• New values include
• self-fulfillment
• narcissism.

13
Self-fulfillment

• Is the commitment to the full development of
  ones personality, talents, and potential.
• This can be seen in the self-help industry,
  leisure, physical fitness, and youthfulness.

14
Narcissism

• The growing emphasis on personal fulfillment
  creates a debate, how much is too much?!?.
• The term narcissism, which means extreme
  self-centeredness. The belief is that it weakened
  the established values of hard work and
  moderation and threatened the stability of the
  system.

15
Even though values are vital to the stability of
society

• They sometimes produce conflict.
• Not everyone agrees on what are acceptable
  American values.
• Even when people agree, individuals do not uphold
  all of these values to the same degree.

16
Other Core Values

• Nationalism and Patriotism
• Science and Rationality
• Education
• Religious values
• Romantic Love