Pursuit of communal values in an agentic manner: A way to happiness?

Abele AE (2014)


Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2014

Journal

Publisher: Frontiers Research Foundation

Book Volume: 5

Journal Issue: 1320

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01320

Abstract

Examined the association between traits, values, and life satisfaction. While values should influence the direction of an individual's goals and behavior, his/her traits impact effort expenditure, efficiency, and persistence in goal pursuit. The framework of the "big two" of agency and communion was applied for distinguishing the content of values and traits. While agentic content refers to qualities relevant for goal attainment, such as assertiveness, competence or persistence, communal content refers to qualities relevant for the establishment and maintenance of social relationships, such as being friendly, helpful, or fair. It was predicted that high scores on communal values and high scores on agentic traits are associated with life satisfaction. Two studies were conducted in different countries (Germany and Russia) with different cultural background. Across both countries, positive associations of communal values and agentic traits with life satisfaction were found; and individuals high in communal values and high in agentic traits were most satisfied with their lives. In Russia, the association of communal values with life satisfaction was moderated by agentic traits; in Germany, however, there was a main effect of communal values.

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How to cite

APA:

Abele, A.E. (2014). Pursuit of communal values in an agentic manner: A way to happiness? Frontiers in Psychology, 5(1320). https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01320

MLA:

Abele, Andrea E.. "Pursuit of communal values in an agentic manner: A way to happiness?" Frontiers in Psychology 5.1320 (2014).

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