Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology
2017, Vol. 48(1) 58–74
© The Author(s) 2016
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DOI: 10.1177/0022022116673909
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Article
Not So “Traditional” Anymore?
Generational Shifts on Schwartz
Values in Turkey
Justin Marcus
1
, Savas Ceylan
2
, and Canan Ergin
1
Abstract
We compare generational change in culturally related personal values as represented by the
Schwartz values taxonomy, across two decades of individuals representing independent samples
of the urban, Turkish workforce, employed in a variety of occupations and in numerous urban
centers, in both 1998 and 2009 (N = 779). Results indicate that whereas self-transcendence
(harmony) and conservation (collectivism) values have decreased over time, self-enhancement
(mastery) has increased. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Keywords
generations, generational cohort, culture, Schwartz values, collectivism, mastery, harmony,
cross-temporal
A generational cohort is a group whose length approximates the span of a phase of life, and
whose boundaries are fixed by a peer personality (Strauss & Howe, 1991). Differences across
generations on values have received attention in both popular press (e.g., Sanburn, 2013) and
psychological literature (e.g., Deal, Altman, & Rogelberg, 2010). Correspondingly, meaningful
evidence of generational change in culturally related personal values have been found, indicating
that Gen Xers, and especially Millennials, are more individualistic, show less concern for others,
have a lower need for social approval, give more positive self-evaluations, and value extrinsic
goals (e.g., money, fame) more than intrinsic goals (e.g., self-affiliation, community; Twenge,
2010; Twenge & Campbell, 2008; Twenge, Campbell, & Freeman, 2012; Twenge, Campbell, &
Gentile, 2012).
A major limitation of these studies, however, is that all of the research has come from Western
samples constituting culturally individualistic societies, including the United States, Europe,
Australia, and New Zealand (Twenge, 2010). Problematically, most previous studies that explic-
itly studied generational change in culturally related personal values across time utilized purely
U.S.-based samples (Kowske, Rasch, & Wiley, 2010; Smola & Sutton, 2002; Twenge &
Campbell, 2008; Twenge, Campbell, & Freeman, 2012; Twenge, Campbell, & Gentile, 2012).
Furthermore, non-U.S. research that does exist on the topic of value change across generational
1
Ozyegin University, Istanbul, Turkey
2
Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
Corresponding Author:
Justin Marcus, Ozyegin University, Nisantepe Mah., Orman Sok., No: 34-36, Alemdag, Cekmekoy, Istanbul 34794,
Turkey.
Email: justin.marcus@ozyegin.edu.tr
673909JCC XX X 10.1177/0022022116673909Journal of Cross-Cultural PsychologyMarcus et al.
research-article 2016