Do positive deviants' values differ, do values explain the country deviance rates and support for systematic assistance?

Methods

Summary

Using the European Social Survey we will answer the four bellow research questions: RQ1: Do positive deviants hold different values to other SES groups? H1.A1: We hypothesize that the values of "openness to change" and "self-improvement" are more pronounced in high SES individuals than in low SES individuals. H1.A2: Additionally, we expect these values to be more similar between positive deviants and high SES individuals than between individuals who have remained in the low SES group (NN) and those who have moved from high to low SES group (VN). We also expect these values to be significantly less pronounced in VN individuals than in positive deviants and high SES individuals. Rationale: We explain these two assumptions by the functional relevance of these values for economic mobility. If the values of positive deviants are more similar to those of people in the low SES group, we assume that these values are not important for economic mobility and that they remain stable despite the change in SES group of the individual. Previous research has shown that openness to change and self-improvement are related to high SES, so we expect positive deviants to be associated with high scores on these values. H1.B1: We hypothesize that individuals in the NN group have more pronounced values of self-transcendence than those in the VV (who is the VV group? And maybe try to use more intuitive abbreviations?) group. H1.B2: Additionally, we assume that the values of "self-transcendence" in PD individuals are more similar to those in the NN group than in the VV SES group. We also expect that VN individuals will be more similar to VV than NN and PD individuals in self-transcendence values. Rationale: These two assumptions are based on the belonging of PD to both SES groups and the understanding of the position of the poor (Liebe, Schwitter & Tutić, 2022). However, if it turns out that self-transcendence values in PD are more similar to the VV group by SES, we can conclude that they also have a functional role in economic mobility. However, low scores on self-transcendence can be explained by a strong tendency for individual achievement shown by high scores on values that put the individual in focus (Rudnev, Magun, & Schwartz, 2018). Research shows a positive correlation between values of openness to change and self-improvement. Meanwhile, these two values negatively correlate with self-transcendence values (Rudnev, Magun, & Schwartz, 2018). In this study, we will explore the fourth factor, conservation, to have a complete picture of the relationship between values and SES. RQ2: Can values explain the difference in PD rates across different countries (Western European and post-communist)? H2: We expect a higher PD rate in Western European countries, partly due to individual possession of values such as openness and self-improvement. We assume that the difference exists even when controlling for GDP and equality rates (Witte, Stanciu, & Boehnke, 2020). Research shows that richer capitalist countries tend to have more positive deviants (Ruggeri et al., under revision). The economic system of a country dictates cultural values, and thus individual values (Witte, Stanciu, & Boehnke, 2020). Specific cultural values emerge in specific socio-ecological contexts because individuals perceive their environment as either hindering or facilitating their well-being (Diener et al., 2013; Oishi and Diener, 2014). To control for the role of culture, the sample will consist exclusively of individuals who were born and currently live in the country where the data was collected. RQ3: Do individuals with higher PD scores support systematic assistance for low SES individuals to a greater extent? H3.A1: We expect self-transendance values to be positivly related to having a positive view towards systemic aid for the poor. H3.A2: We expect a positive correlation between belonging to the PD group and positive attitudes toward systematic aid for the poor. We assume that PD individuals are more inclined towards the belief that aid should be given. This hypothesis is related to the H1b2, as self transendance values as they score higher on values of self-transcendence.