scholarly journals The Direct and Indirect Influences of Human Values on Consumer Choices

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Michael W Allen

<p>The aim of the present thesis is to develop a conceptual framework of how consumers' choice of products may be influenced by the human values that they endorse. The framework combines a traditional model of human value influence based in expectancy-value theory (e.g., Scott and Lamont's (1973), Gutman's (1982) and Lindberg, Garling and Montgomery's (1989) attribute-mediation approach), with a new approach based on product meanings, judgements and psychological functions. From the union, a product meaning approach to value influence is suggested which outlines two structures of the value-attitude-behaviour system. Firstly, when consumers are evaluating a product's utilitarian meaning and making a piecemeal judgement, human values may influence the importance of the product's tangible attributes that in turn influence product preference. Secondly, when consumers are evaluating a product's symbolic meaning and making an affective judgement, human values may influence product preference directly. The meaning and judgement elements of the conceptual framework and the traditional attribute-mediation approach were examined in three studies; Study 1 found that the attribute-mediation approach could not fully account for the influence of human values on product preference (Hypothesis 1) and that the inability was greatest for products, such as red meat and overseas holiday destinations, which are likely evaluated on their intangible attributes of symbolic meanings and aesthetics (Hypothesis 2). The second and third studies tested whether the two routes of value influence uncovered in Study 1, that is, the route proposed in the attribute-mediation approach and the alternative, direct route, result from consumers evaluating different product meanings and making different types of judgements. Study 2 developed scales that measure the general publics' product meaning and judgement preferences, and Study 3 associated the meaning and judgement preference scales with the influences of human values on automobile and sunglasses ownerships; confirming the product meaning approach hypothesis that a consumer's preference for utilitarian meaning and for a piecemeal judgement to symbolic meaning and an affective judgement should be greater when his or her human values have an indirect influence on product preference (e.g., via the importance of the product's tangible attributes) than when his or her human values have a direct influence. Besides modelling the cognitive structure through which human values operate when consumers attend to utilitarian and symbolic meanings and make piecemeal and affective judgements, several propositions were made that consumers have a cross-product tendency to prefer the same meanings, judgements and routes of value influence, and that each route of value influence serves a specific psychological function. Concerning the latter, the propositions were made that when consumers attend to symbolic meaning and directly apply their human values, the application serves an expressive psychological function (e.g., self-consistency and social approval), and hence should be associated with greater psychological identification with the product, greater importance assigned to human values in general (e.g., value relevance), and a preference for terminal values to instrumental values. Conversely, when consumers attend to utilitarian meaning and indirectly apply their human values via tangible attribute importances, the application serves an instrumental psychological function (e.g., utility maximisation and control of the environment), and hence should be associated with a weaker psychological identification with the product, weaker value relevance, and a preference for instrumental values to terminal values. Study 4 assessed these propositions by examining the results of Studies 1-3 in detail and by analysing a fourth data set. Support was found for most of the propositions. Qualifications and limitations of the product meaning approach to the influences of human values on consumer choices are discussed, as are the implications of the approach for human value theory and consumer research.</p>

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Michael W Allen

<p>The aim of the present thesis is to develop a conceptual framework of how consumers' choice of products may be influenced by the human values that they endorse. The framework combines a traditional model of human value influence based in expectancy-value theory (e.g., Scott and Lamont's (1973), Gutman's (1982) and Lindberg, Garling and Montgomery's (1989) attribute-mediation approach), with a new approach based on product meanings, judgements and psychological functions. From the union, a product meaning approach to value influence is suggested which outlines two structures of the value-attitude-behaviour system. Firstly, when consumers are evaluating a product's utilitarian meaning and making a piecemeal judgement, human values may influence the importance of the product's tangible attributes that in turn influence product preference. Secondly, when consumers are evaluating a product's symbolic meaning and making an affective judgement, human values may influence product preference directly. The meaning and judgement elements of the conceptual framework and the traditional attribute-mediation approach were examined in three studies; Study 1 found that the attribute-mediation approach could not fully account for the influence of human values on product preference (Hypothesis 1) and that the inability was greatest for products, such as red meat and overseas holiday destinations, which are likely evaluated on their intangible attributes of symbolic meanings and aesthetics (Hypothesis 2). The second and third studies tested whether the two routes of value influence uncovered in Study 1, that is, the route proposed in the attribute-mediation approach and the alternative, direct route, result from consumers evaluating different product meanings and making different types of judgements. Study 2 developed scales that measure the general publics' product meaning and judgement preferences, and Study 3 associated the meaning and judgement preference scales with the influences of human values on automobile and sunglasses ownerships; confirming the product meaning approach hypothesis that a consumer's preference for utilitarian meaning and for a piecemeal judgement to symbolic meaning and an affective judgement should be greater when his or her human values have an indirect influence on product preference (e.g., via the importance of the product's tangible attributes) than when his or her human values have a direct influence. Besides modelling the cognitive structure through which human values operate when consumers attend to utilitarian and symbolic meanings and make piecemeal and affective judgements, several propositions were made that consumers have a cross-product tendency to prefer the same meanings, judgements and routes of value influence, and that each route of value influence serves a specific psychological function. Concerning the latter, the propositions were made that when consumers attend to symbolic meaning and directly apply their human values, the application serves an expressive psychological function (e.g., self-consistency and social approval), and hence should be associated with greater psychological identification with the product, greater importance assigned to human values in general (e.g., value relevance), and a preference for terminal values to instrumental values. Conversely, when consumers attend to utilitarian meaning and indirectly apply their human values via tangible attribute importances, the application serves an instrumental psychological function (e.g., utility maximisation and control of the environment), and hence should be associated with a weaker psychological identification with the product, weaker value relevance, and a preference for instrumental values to terminal values. Study 4 assessed these propositions by examining the results of Studies 1-3 in detail and by analysing a fourth data set. Support was found for most of the propositions. Qualifications and limitations of the product meaning approach to the influences of human values on consumer choices are discussed, as are the implications of the approach for human value theory and consumer research.</p>


2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinguang Chen ◽  
Xiaolan Tang ◽  
Xiaoming Li ◽  
Bonita Stanton ◽  
Hanwu Li

More effective tobacco control requires new data on factors that are not explicitly related to smoking but are influential, such as “Terminal Values” regarding desirable end-states of existence and “Instrumental Values” regarding desirable modes of conduct. Association analysis was conducted among 36 Core Values (18 Terminal and 18 Instrumental) derived from Rokeach’s Value Survey, three risk factors (protobacco media, smoking peers and sensation-seeking), and cigarette smoking using data collected from a sample of 334 medical students in China. The participants were 18 to 24 years old (47% female) and 18.4% of them smoked in the past 30 days. Multivariate analysis indicated that cigarette smoking was negatively associated with nine Terminal Values (e.g., a Sense of Accomplishment and Self-Respect) and ten Instrumental Values (e.g., Clean and Self-Controlled). As expected, when the endorsed number of values/total value scores increased from low to high, the 30-day smoking rate declined from 32.6% - 75.0% to 13.5% - 15.9% (p < .01). The odds ratios (OR) for the endorsed Terminal Values and the total value scores were 0.50 (p < .01) and 0.64 (p < .01) respectively, and the ORs for the endorsed Instrumental Values and the total value scores were 0.42 (p < .01) and 0.44 (p


2018 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pradeep Kautish ◽  
Rajesh Sharma

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the functional relationships among terminal and instrumental values, environmental consciousness and behavioral intentions for green products in India in light of the value–attitude–behavior framework. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a hypo-deductive research design. A conceptual model was developed to relate the terminal and instrumental values to environmental consciousness and behavioral intentions, which are substantiated with a comprehensive literature review. Covariance-based structural equation modeling was used along with Anderson and Gerbing’s two-step research approach to measure the dimensions of the measurement model, as well as the specifications of the structural model. Findings The findings of the research indicate that terminal and instrumental values significantly influence environmental consciousness, and environmental consciousness has a significant influence on behavioral intentions. Instrumental value shows a greater influence on environmental consciousness and behavioral intentions, rather than terminal value. Furthermore, this study discloses that environmental consciousness acts as a partial mediator while establishing a link between instrumental/terminal value and behavioral intentions. Research limitations/implications The present research is based on two distinct forms of human values, namely, terminal values and instrumental values. The study found that consumers who favored instrumental values to terminal values revealed a tendency to frame confused and incoherent judgments on environmental issues. Practical implications The study will help green marketing practitioners understand the important role of values, that is, both terminal and instrumental values, in promoting environmental consciousness and behavioral intentions for green products. The findings of the study will facilitate decision-making processes in relation to marketing for green product consumers in the Indian context. Social implications Values are the guiding forces for human behavior, both socially and individually. Moreover, values have a long-lasting impression on consumers in varied forms. This study will pave the way forward by contributing to the societal understanding of consumer values within the realms of human values for green marketing, green consumerism and sustainable businesses. Originality/value The paper is the first attempt of its kind to explore the relationships among two distinct forms of values that are the foundation of human values, namely, terminal and instrumental values, and their effect on environmental consciousness and behavioral intentions for green products in the Indian market. The paper is unique in understanding factors contributing to green marketing beyond consumer values and differs from previous research in specifying the significance of human values.


Author(s):  
Angela Furfari ◽  
Sílvio Brito ◽  
Valeria Caggiano

Several studies demonstrate that Schwartz’s (2006) theory of human values is valid in cultures previously beyond its range. We measured the 10 value constructs in the theory with the Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ), a new and less abstract method. This study explores the influence of values in a professional choose, focusing on the associations between social and professional background. The findings support the construct validity of the test. The results suggest, there is a matching between values and occupational choose, there are evident differences between gender and age. These results confirm the international literature about different gender and value system’s. Its theoretical meaning in the context of Schwartz’s culture-level value theory is discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 219
Author(s):  
Febrina Athylata Purba ◽  
S Slamet

<p>Penelitian yang berjudul “Makna Simbolik <em>Tor-torsombah </em>Dalam Upacara Adat Kematian <em>Sayur Matua </em>Pada Masyarakat Suku Batak Simalungun” merupakan bentuk pertunjukan tari yang terkait dalam upacara adat kematian <em>sayur matua</em>. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menggali makna simbolik <em>Tor-tor Sombah </em>dalam upacara adat kematian <em>sayur matua, </em>bagaimana hubungan antara <em>Tor-tor Sombah Sombah </em>dengan upacara adat kematian <em>sayur matua </em>pada masyarakat suku Batak Simalungun, serta bentuk pertunjukan <em>Tor-tor Sombah Sombah </em>dalam upacara adat kematian <em>sayur matua. </em>Permasalahan dalam penelitian ini diungkapkan dengan mendeskripsikan bentuk dari <em>Tor-tor Sombah Tor-tor Sombah </em>yang dilihat dari elemen-elemen koreografi dengan dibantu oleh notasi laban dan dianalisis dengan memakai teori dari Laban yaitu <em>effort </em>dan <em>shape</em>. Selain itu juga dalam penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis makna simbolis <em>Tor-tor Sombah </em>yang dilihat dari dua bagian yaitu aspek dalam dan aspek luar dengan konsep dari Allegra Fuller Synder. Adapun metode yang digunakan dalam pengumpulan data ini adalah metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan etnokoreologi. Teknik pengumpulan data lapangan menggunakan model dari Kurath dengan metode etnografi tari. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa <em>Tor-tor Sombah Tor-tor Sombah </em>dalam upacara adat kematian <em>sayur matua </em>bagi masyarakat suku Batak Simalungun dilaksanakan sebagai penyampaian rasa hormat anak kepada orang tua yang sudah meninggal. <em>Tor-tor Sombah </em>dalam kehidupan masyarakat suku Batak Simalungun saling berkaitan dan merupakan bagian dari adat yang digerakkan secara simbolis pada upacara adat<em>. Tor-tor Sombah </em>memiliki makna dan simbol dalam unsur sajian yang ditampilkan yaitu: dalam gerak tangan, iringan musik, busana, tata rias, properti, dan <em>umpasa</em>. Gerakan pada tangan yang terdapat dalam <em>Tor-tor Sombah </em>mempunyai tiga</p><p>bentuk, yaitu :<em>sombah</em>, <em>mangalo-alo</em>, <em>mamasu-masu. </em>Selain menunjukkan bahwa <em>Tor-tor Sombah </em>memiliki makna simbolik, berkaitan juga sebagai media komunikasi, dan melalui gerak yang disajikan terjadi interaksi antar peserta upacara. <em>Tor-tor Sombah </em>menjadi bagian dari kebudayaan yang berfungsi untuk menjaga serta mempertahankan kelangsungan sistem sosialnya pada masyarakat suku Batak Simalungun.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Kata kunci: </strong><em>or-tor Sombah, </em>Upacara Adat Kematian <em>Sayur Matua </em>Batak Simalungun, Koreografi, Makna Simbolik.</p><p> </p><p><strong><em>ABSTRACT</em></strong></p><p><strong><em> </em></strong></p><p><em>The study entitled “Makna Simbolik Tor-tor Sombah Dalam Upacara Adat Kematian Sayur Matua Pada Masyarakat Suku Batak Simalungun” is a form of dance performance concerning the traditional ceremony of Sayur Matua death. This study aims to explore the symbolic meaning of Tor-tor Sombah in Sayur Matua death ceremony, how the relationship between Tor-tor Sombah and the traditional ceremony of Sayur Matua death in Batak Simalungun tribe, as well as the form of Tor-tor Sombah performance at the ceremony of Sayur Matua death. The problems in this study are expressed by describing the form of Tor-tor Sombah Tor-tor Sombah which is seen from the choreographic elements through Laban notation and is analyzed by using Laban theories, namely </em>effort <em>and </em>shape<em>. In addition, this study also aims to analyze the symbolic meaning of Tor-tor Sombah based on the inner and outer aspects with the concept of Allegra Fuller Synder. The data is collected by using qualitative method with an ethnochoreological approach. The Field data collection uses models from</em></p><p><em>Kurath through dance ethnographic methods. The results of the study show that Tor-tor Sombah in Sayur Matua death ceremony in Batak Simalungun tribe represents the delivery of children’s respect towards their deceased parents. The Tor- tor Sombah is interrelated with the life of Batak Simalungun tribe and is part of the custom that is symbolically presented in traditional ceremonies. Tor-tor Sombah has meanings and symbols in the elements of presentation, namely: hand gestures, musical accompaniment, costume, make-up, property, and </em>umpasa<em>. There are three forms of hand gestures in the Tor-tor Sombah, namely: sombah, mangalo alo, mamasu-masu. Besides the symbolic meaning contained in Tor-tor Sombah, it also represents a medium of communication. The presented movement causes an interaction among the participants of the ceremony. The Tor-tor Sombah is part of a culture that serves to maintain the continuity of its social system in Batak Simalungun tribe.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><strong><em>Keywords: </em></strong><em>Tor-tor Sombah, Traditional Ceremony of Sayur Matua Death of Batak Simalungun, Choreography, Symbolic Meanings.</em></p>


Linguistics ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 38-52
Author(s):  
Oksana Simovych ◽  

This article «From Ladder and Thread to Heaven: The Symbolic Meaning of the Path in a Fragment of the Linguistic World Image» explores the problem of the analysis of folk customs. These customs could be verbalized both in folk texts and in dialects. The specifics of this study lie in the linguistic analysis of the symbols which are usually interpreted as folk customs and folk objects. However, the symbolism of the objects in national customs causes the development of a symbolic meaning of the respective word that defines these objects. In this way, many symbols in folk customs become verbal, and the context of the custom creates a foundation for the development of the symbolic meaning. The verbal symbols analyzed are a «thread», a «ball of twine», a «ladder», a «bridge» and a «cross». In the national Ukrainian linguistic space, these words have the general semantics of the ‘connection between worlds’. It is stressed that the symbolic meaning of the (celestial) ladder has been discovered in the biblical context. This is also relevant for the clarification of the subject of continuity in the development of the symbolic meanings, which are also documented in the Ukrainian context. A concrete situation in linguistics and custom creates conditions under which arise symbolic co-meanings that develop in the framework of the same main symbolic archetypical meaning. All analyzed symbols belong to the archetypical ones. That is why they have been also discovered with the same semantics in other languages. This is the reason why the analysis of such symbols requires not only facts documented in the dictionaries and texts in Ukrainian, but also information about the respective symbol in other linguistic cultures. It is also pointed out that the thread is analyzed as an apotropaic symbol. This word has also been documented linguistically as a symbol of the demarcation line between one’s own world and the world of «others».


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Talat Zubair ◽  
Dr. Amana Raquib

This paper discusses the design features deliberately used in social media technologies to cause behavioral addiction, while outlining how this addiction leads to altering, reshaping and redefining of basic human values such as contemplation, well-being, mindfulness and connectedness that bring about social, psychological, cultural and ethical changes in human existence. The paper sheds light on how the altering of the human value system goes against the values and principles of Islamic law by citing Qur’ānic verses, prophetic traditions and teachings of Islamic scholars. Currently, there are no frameworks, laws and/or strategies that view social media addiction from a metaphysical perspective and in terms of human worldview and existence. Hence, as a solution, our paper introduces an ethical framework for designing social media technologies using the objectives of Islamic law that discourage a social media design with indefinite ends and encourage a design methodology with well-defined objectives and consequences.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021(42) (1) ◽  
pp. 107-122
Author(s):  
Mariola Wojciechowska ◽  
◽  
Dariusz Adamczyk ◽  

As regards the axiological hierarchy, the love-as-a-gift is particularly important in interperso- nal relations. It means the value of a person-as-a-gift to another person. The complete experience of love between a man and a woman demands its ethical dimension. Its natural fulfilment is marriage as self-giving. Studies conducted among high school youth with the use of Milton Rokeach's RVS Scale, confirm that the value of mature love in the group of terminal values, and the value of loving in the group of instrumental values are highly cherished. The leading (central) position of the analysed values indicates their impact upon young people's behaviour.


2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-106
Author(s):  
Akmaral Yussupova ◽  
Liu Songfu ◽  
Ardasher Namazbay ◽  
Ahad Nejad Ebrahimi

This study investigated the emerging progressive use of ornamental art in the landscape architecture of Kazakhstan and determined the influence of symbolism on the quality of new urban environments. The study analysed the existing recreational facilities in Kazakhstan in order to establish their symbolic meaning, the level of utilisation of symbolic ornaments, and the socio-economic factors that influence the design structure of landscape elements. The results revealed that symbolic meanings of the ornaments stem from historic, legal and cultural traditions of different ethnic groups in Kazakhstan. Therefore, the form depends on not only the topography of the area, but also the traditional symbolism and numerology. This study categorised the studied places according to their size: large gardens, small squares and small landscape forms. Taking into account the natural and climatic features of Kazakhstan, small landscape forms acquire the quality of arid zone gardens. However, lack of identity and consistency appears to be a major problem in design of larger scale landscapes. This article posits that coordination between socio-economic and historical-cultural factors will open new creative opportunities for the development of an original landscape architecture in Kazakhstan, yet balance between environmental construction and contextually meaningful urban planning will still be needed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Edy Waluyo

The tradition of Nganggung in Petaling Bangka, Province of Bangka Belitung Islands is a tradition that has been rooted in its community. This study reveals about values and symbolic meanings of the Nganggung tradition in the village of Petaling in which in the tradition have these values of 1) spiritual, 2) economical, 3) mutual cooperation and togetherness and 4) political. This tradition also has a symbolic meaning, we can see it at Nganggung attributes such as tudung saji that represents the preservation of the indigenous plants of pandanus forest, as well as means of preserving of lofty values of its ancestors; from its shape, tudung saji resembles a parabole that represents the tradition of Nganggung as a shelter for all; red, as a dominant color of tudung saji symbolizes courage and high work ethic; cord symbolizes the fastener with a diversity of community and a sense of belonging; while talam, a round pan, shape symbolizes the dynamic attitude and flexibility of its inhabitants.


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