Dimension Indulgence vs Restraint

Overview

• Sixth and most recent dimension introduced by Dr. Michael Minkoff.
• Based on data from the World Values Survey (1995-2004) across 93 countries.
• Relates to subjective happiness and individual life control.

Key Characteristics

Indulgent Societies

• Allow relatively free gratification of human desires.
• Associated with:
  • Higher feelings of health and happiness.
  • Perception of personal life control; individuals feel they are masters of their lives.
  • Leisure ethic: emphasis on enjoyment and fun.
  • Optimistic and positive attitudes.
  • Extroverted personalities.
  • Importance of friendships and social activities.
  • Higher participation in sports.
  • Less moral discipline regarding social norms.

Restrained Societies

• Suppress gratification of needs through strict social norms.
• Associated with:
  • Lower health and happiness, although objective health may be similar.
  • Feelings of external control over life circumstances.
  • Work ethic: emphasis on duty and responsibilities.
  • Pessimistic and cynical attitudes.
  • Introverted personalities.
  • Less importance placed on friendships.
  • Reduced sports participation.
  • Stricter moral discipline, including in sexual morals.

Measurement of Indulgence vs Restraint

• No absolute standards; comparisons made between societies.
• Expressed through the Indulgence vs Restraint Index (IVR).
  • Scale: 0 (restrained societies) to 100 (indulgent societies).

Examples of Countries

• Indulgent Societies:
  • Mexico, Nigeria, Sweden, Australia, United States, Brazil.
• Restrained Societies:
  • France, Japan, Germany, Italy, India, China, Egypt.

Correlations with the IVR Index

• Freedom of Speech:
  • Indulgent societies value freedom of speech more.
  • Restrained societies prioritize maintaining order over freedom of speech.
• Crime Rates:
  • Indulgent societies have higher crime rates and smaller police forces.
  • Restrained societies have lower crime rates and larger police forces.
• Birth Rates:
  • Higher in educated indulgent societies; lower in educated restrained societies.
• Obesity Rates:
  • Higher in indulgent wealthy societies; lower in restrained wealthy societies.
• Cultural Acceptance:
  • Indulgent societies have higher approval of foreign music and films.
  • Restrained societies show lower approval of foreign cultural influences.

Global Divisions Based on Dimensions

• Indulgent + Short-term:
  • Some African countries, all of South America, North America, Australia.
• Restrained + Short-term:
  • Poland, Portugal, some African countries, Islamic nations.
• Restrained + Long-term:
  • East Asian countries (Japan, India, China), Eastern Europe, Italy, Germany.
• Indulgent + Long-term:
  • German-speaking countries (Austria, Switzerland), the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Britain.

Research Findings

• Study by Professor Burgelsdijk (Groningen) showed an increase in indulgence over 30 years.
• Relative positions of countries have stayed stable; however, overall indulgence has grown.